(~s)
1.
A particular ~ is a particular style of something such as music, dance, or architecture. (FORMAL)
McCartney was also keen to write in a classical ~, rather than a pop one...
= style
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp
2.
An ~ is a group of words which have a different meaning when used together from the one they would have if you took the meaning of each word separately. (TECHNICAL)
Proverbs and ~s may become worn with over-use...
= phrase
N-COUNT
3.
Idiom of a particular kind is the language that people use at a particular time or in a particular place. (FORMAL)
...her command of the Chinese ~.
N-UNCOUNT