Definition of semantics Semantics is the systematic study of meaning communicated through language In linguistics, semantics is the subfield that is devoted to understanding meanings inherent at the levels of words phrases sentences and larger units of discourse(also referred to as textDefinition of semantics Semantics is the systematic study of meaning communicated through language. In linguistics, semantics is the subfield that is devoted to understanding meanings inherent at the levels of words, phrases, sentences, and larger units of discourse (also referred to as text)