(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
The ~ of a word, expression, or gesture is the thing or idea that it refers to or represents and which can be explained using other words.
I hadn’t a clue to the ~ of ‘activism’...
I became more aware of the symbols and their ~s.
N-VAR
2.
The ~ of what someone says or of something such as a book or film is the thoughts or ideas that are intended to be expressed by it.
Unsure of the ~ of this remark, Ryle chose to remain silent...
= significance
N-VAR
3.
If an activity or action has ~, it has a purpose and is worthwhile.
Art has real ~ when it helps people to understand themselves.
...a challenge that gives ~ to life.
N-UNCOUNT
4.
If you mention something and say that someone doesn’t know the ~ of the word, you are emphasizing that they have never experienced the thing mentioned or do not have the quality mentioned.
Don’t mention failure when Kevin is around. He doesn’t know the ~ of the word.
PHRASE: V inflects emphasis