1.meaning的基本意思是“意思,意义,含义”,指一个词、表情或一个手势所指出或代表的含义,可以指专门的、具体的字面意义,也可指隐含的意义。mean还可以指“目的,重要性”。
2.meaning可用来表示具体事物,也可表示抽象事物,用作具体的事物时可用于复数形式。

He explained his meaning shortly but clearly.他简短但清楚地解释了他的意思。
There is a negligible difference in meaning between these two words.这两个词之间在意思上差别是极小的。
The meaning of the sentence is obvious to everybody.每个人都明显地知道这个句子的意思。
The word is now used in a sense different from the original meaning.此字现在的用意与原来的意思不一样。
Do you know the precise meaning of the word?你知道这个词的确切意思吗?
This is a word with six distinct meanings.这个词有六种不同的意思。
The word “heart” has several discrete meanings. “heart”这个词有好多不相关的词义。
Every phrase in this poem is pregnant with meaning.这首诗中每一词语都含义深远。
This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它的内在含义。
What is the meaning of this intrusion?这样冒冒失失闯入,用意何在?
A mischievous meaning was apparent.恶意是显而易见的。
What is the meaning of life?生活的意义是什么?
I can't quite grasp the meaning of these figures.我不能很好地领会这些数字的重要性。

meaning, implication, sense, significance
这组词的共同意思是“含义”。其区别是:meaning意为“意义,意思,重要性”; implication着重指无需说明、解释即可理解的含蓄的、暗示的“意思”。例如:
She smiled with the implication that she didn't believe him.她笑了,意思就是不相信他。
sense通常指“观念,概念,含义”,也可指“感觉,意识”,在许多情况下, sense与meaning可以替换。例如:
Some words have as many as twenty senses〔means〕.有些词有至少20个意思。
significance着重指内在的“含义,重要性”。例如:
He has quite realized the true significance of her actions.他完全认识到了她的行动的重要性。

她的意图是想帮助你。
［误］  Her meaning was to help you.
［正］  Her intention was to help you.
［正］  She meant to help you.
［析］  meaning表示“意义,意思”,表示“意图,打算”可以用intention或动词mean+to-v来表示。

meaning还可用作形容词,意思是“有意义的，意味深长的”。

［派生词］ meaningful adj.有目的的,有用意的；有意义的‖meaningfulness n. 富有意义
［同义词］   denotation, gist, import, sense, significance, signification