Here's a breakdown:
* Words are individual units of meaning. They have their own definitions and connotations.
* Sentences provide context. The words around a specific word help us understand its intended meaning.
* Situations add further context. The broader context of the situation, like who is speaking, where they are, and what is happening, can also influence the meaning of a word.
Examples:
* "The bank is closed today." Here, "bank" refers to a financial institution.
* "We walked along the bank of the river." Here, "bank" refers to the edge of a river.
* "He's a real bank." Here, "bank" is used in a slang way, meaning someone who is trustworthy and reliable.
In each case, the word "bank" has a different meaning based on the surrounding words and the situation. This is known as contextual meaning.
So, while a word itself doesn't include the sentence or situation, the sentence and situation are crucial for understanding the full meaning of the word.