What term describes the meaning and interpretation of words, signs, and sentence structure?

The term that describes the meaning and interpretation of words, signs, and sentence structure is semantics. Semantics focuses on how language conveys meaning through words and phrases, including the relationships between words and how they can change meaning based on their contextual usage. This involves understanding vocabulary and how various combinations of words articulate specific ideas or concepts.

While syntax deals with the arrangement of words and phrases to create sentences, it does not directly address meaning. Phonology pertains to the sounds of speech and their organization, and morpheme refers to the smallest unit of meaning in a language, which indicates a more granular level of linguistic analysis compared to the broader concept of semantics. Therefore, semantics is the most fitting term when discussing the interpretation and meaning in language.