development of meaning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "development of meaning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing how the significance or interpretation of a word, concept, or idea evolves over time. Example: "The development of meaning in language is influenced by cultural shifts and societal changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He represented the natural laws of sound change (both vowels and consonants) in various languages and thus created bases for a method of scientific etymology; i.e., research into relationships between languages and development of meaning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The O.E.D., on the other hand, is a historical document that relies heavily on quotations and chronology as evidence for the development of meaning over time.

The New Yorker

LMM will be used to investigate the longitudinal development of meaning making in the three groups.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Both the analytic/synthetic distinction, which relies on a conception of truth by virtue of meaning, and the idea of a conversational implicature require for their full philosophical development a theory of meaning.

SEP

In this case, a study of the development of meaning-making potential is within the circumscribed community of the email list, a group within which 'intertextual' references to other conversations within the same group may only be (easily) grasped by those same group members.

Functional Linguistics

The fourth conception of being is a fuller development of the conception of meaning that Royce had introduced in The Spirit of Modern Philosophy.

SEP

On the other hand, the development of a traditional theory of meaning based on similarity faces severe obstacles (Fodor and Lepore 1999), for such a theory would be required to assign sentences truth conditions based on an analysis of the meaning of their parts, and it is not clear that similarity alone is up to such tasks as fixing denotation in the way a standard theory demands.

SEP

The later work of Kuhn and Wittgenstein in particular were influential in the development of the Strong Program doctrine of "meaning finitism", according to which the meanings of terms are conceived as social institutions: the various ways in which they are used successfully in communication within a linguistic community.

SEP

Another three cases with a bearing on design sciences are singled out and discussed: the selection of older subjects; the understanding of the "social" in going from the laboratory to real-life settings; and the "making of meaning" in product development.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

The forty spots representing one gene on the array were averaged together as replicates to provide greater statistical power, and two arrays were hybridized per stage of development, meaning that each ratio represents eighty measurements.

BMC Genomics

This Universal Community, which constitutes reality, develops greater understanding over time through its members' continual development of the meaning of signs.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "development of meaning" to illustrate how interpretations evolve over time within specific contexts like language, culture, or individual understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "development of meaning" when you actually mean "discovery of meaning". "Development" implies a gradual evolution, while "discovery" suggests uncovering something pre-existing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "development of meaning" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the process by which meaning evolves or is constructed. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in discussing linguistic and philosophical concepts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "development of meaning" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is categorized as a noun phrase, typically appearing in formal contexts such as encyclopedias, news media, and scientific literature. The phrase refers to the evolution of understanding or significance of a concept, word, or symbol. While "development of meaning" is useful for illustrating how interpretations evolve over time, it's crucial to distinguish it from "discovery of meaning", which implies uncovering a pre-existing meaning. Alternative phrases like "evolution of meaning" or "progression of meaning" can also be used depending on the desired nuance. In essence, "development of meaning" emphasizes the process of meaning construction and change over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evolution of meaning

Focuses on the process of change over time in the meaning of something.

progression of meaning

Emphasizes a forward movement or advancement in understanding meaning.

emergence of meaning

Highlights the point at which meaning becomes clear or noticeable.

unfolding of meaning

Suggests a gradual revelation or discovery of meaning.

growth of understanding

Shifts the focus to the increase in comprehension.

elaboration of meaning

Indicates a detailed explanation or expansion of meaning.

refinement of meaning

Implies a process of clarifying or improving the precision of meaning.

construction of meaning

Highlights the active process of creating or building meaning.

formation of meaning

Focuses on the creation or shaping of meaning.

transformation of meaning

Emphasizes a significant change in the nature or understanding of meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "development of meaning" in a sentence?

You can use "development of meaning" to discuss how the understanding of a concept evolves, such as: "The "development of meaning" in a word is influenced by its usage over time."

What's the difference between "evolution of meaning" and "development of meaning"?

While similar, "evolution of meaning" often implies a natural, undirected change, whereas "development of meaning" can suggest a more purposeful or structured process.

What are some alternative phrases for "development of meaning"?

Consider using phrases like "progression of meaning", "emergence of meaning", or "growth of understanding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "development of meaning" commonly used?

"Development of meaning" is frequently used in linguistics, philosophy, and psychology to discuss how words, symbols, or concepts acquire and change their significance.