pragmatics

noun

prag·​mat·​ics prag-ˈma-tiks How to pronounce pragmatics (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
1
: a branch of semiotics that deals with the relation between signs or linguistic expressions and their users
2
: a branch of linguistics that is concerned with the relationship of sentences to the environment in which they occur

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pragmatics was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near pragmatics

Cite this Entry

“Pragmatics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pragmatics. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

pragmatics

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
prag·​mat·​ics prag-ˈmat-iks How to pronounce pragmatics (audio)
: a branch of semiotic that deals with the relation between signs or linguistic expressions and their users

More from Merriam-Webster on pragmatics

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!