What is the study of the meaning of language called?

The study of the meaning of language is referred to as semantics. Semantics focuses on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning and the relationships between them. This branch of linguistics examines various aspects of meaning, such as denotation (literal meaning) and connotation (associated meanings), as well as how context can influence interpretation.

Grammar, while broadly encompassing the structure of a language, does not specifically address meaning but rather the rules that govern sentence structure and word forms. Syntax is a subfield of grammar that focuses on how words combine to form sentences but does not delve into the meanings of the words themselves. Pragmatics, on the other hand, explores how context affects the interpretation of meaning and includes elements like implied meanings and social cues, which are also important but distinct from the core meaning that semantics investigates.