denotation

1. (logic, linguistics, semiotics) The primary, surface, literal, or explicit meaning of a signifier such as a word, phrase, or symbol; that which a word denotes, as contrasted with its connotation; the aggregate or set of objects of which a word may be predicated.Examples: "The denotations of the two expressions "the morning star" and "the evening star" are the same (i.e. both expressions denote the planet Venus), but their connotations are different."; "Regarding denotation, the terms were generally used to refer to a wide range of language contact varieties and features."countableuncountable

2. (philosophy, logic) The intension and extension of a wordcountableuncountable

3. (semantics) Something signified or referred to; a particular meaning of a symbolcountableuncountable

4. (computer science) Any mathematical object which describes the meanings of expressions from the languages, formalized in the theory of denotational semanticscountableuncountable

5. (media studies) A first level of analysis: what the audience can visually see on a page. Denotation often refers to something literal, and avoids being a metaphor.countableuncountable