Here are some key aspects of semantics:
* Word meaning: Examining the individual meanings of words, their relationships to each other (synonyms, antonyms, etc.), and how those meanings can change depending on context.
* Sentence meaning: Analyzing the meaning of entire sentences, considering the relationships between words and their grammatical structure.
* Conceptual meaning: Exploring the underlying concepts that words and sentences represent.
* Pragmatics: Investigating how context and speaker intention influence the interpretation of meaning.
So, yes, semantics is the major branch of linguistics focused on understanding how language creates and conveys meaning.