Which term refers to the understanding and rules of word meanings?

The term that refers to the understanding and rules of word meanings is semantics. Semantics is a branch of linguistics concerned with the meaning of words, phrases, sentences, and texts. It delves into how language conveys meaning and how context can affect that meaning. This discipline plays a critical role in language comprehension, allowing speakers and listeners to establish and interpret the significance of words and the relationships between them.

In contrast, morphology focuses on the structure of words and the formation of words from smaller units called morphemes. Syntax deals with the rules and principles governing the structure of sentences, including the arrangement of words and phrases. Pragmatics, on the other hand, involves the study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning beyond the literal definitions of words. Each of these areas contributes to the understanding of language, but semantics specifically addresses the meanings of words and how they are understood within communication.