The document provides an introduction to semantics, which is defined as the study of meaning in language. It discusses that semantics looks at both grammar and meaning as well as language use and acquisition. The main divisions of semantics are lexical semantics, which is the study of word meaning, and phrasal semantics, which is the study of how meanings of phrases and sentences are constructed from individual word meanings. The document also discusses the related terms of connotation, which refers to associated meanings beyond definition, and denotation, which refers to literal definition.