denotation: Meaning and Definition of

de•no•ta•tion

1. the explicit or direct meaning or set of meanings of a word or expression, as distinguished from the ideas or meanings associated with it or suggested by it; the association or set of associations that a word usually elicits for most speakers of a language, as distinguished from those elicited for any individual speaker because of personal experience. Cf. connotation.
2. a word that names or signifies something specific: “Wind” is the denotation for air in natural motion. “Poodle” is the denotation for a certain breed of dog.
3. the act or fact of denoting; indication.
4. something that denotes; mark; symbol.
1. the class of particulars to which a term is applicable.
2. that which is represented by a sign.