1. To have the ability to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
   "a means of control";
   - agency, way
    
2. An artifact (that is instrumental in accomplishing some end) for accomplishing some end
   "The computer is an essential means in modern research";
   - instrumentality, instrumentation
    
3. Considerable capital (wealth or income)
   "he is a man of means";
   - substance

1. Have the intention to express or convey; have a particular sense or meaning
   "You never understand what I mean!";
   - intend
    
2. Have as a logical consequence
   "The water shortage means that we have to stop taking long showers";
   - entail, imply
    
3. Denote or connote
   "‘maison’ means ‘house’ in French"; "An example sentence would show what this word means";
   - intend, signify, stand for
    
4. Have in mind as a purpose
   "I mean no harm"; "I only meant to help you";
   - intend, think
    
5. Intend to refer to
   "Yes, I meant you when I complained about people who gossip!";
   - think of, have in mind
    
6. Destine or designate for a certain purpose
   "These flowers were meant for you"
    
7. Have a specified degree of importance
   "My ex-husband means nothing to me"; "Happiness means everything"

Sounds like: mean, mien, meeans, m

Derived forms: means

Type of: act, artefact [Brit], artifact [N. Amer], associate, capital, colligate, connect, convey, designate, destine, effectuation, implementation, inform, intend, link, link up, move, necessitate, relate, represent, specify, stand for, symbol [archaic], symbolise [Brit], symbolize, tie in, typify

Encyclopedia: Means, Thomas