Definition of "grammar" in English

noun

1. (countable and uncountable, linguistics) A system of rules and principles for the structure of a language, or of languages in general.

2. (uncountable) Actual or presumed prescriptive notions about the correct use of a language.

3. (countable) A book describing the grammar (noun, sense 1 or noun, sense 2) of a language.

4. (countable, computing theory) A formal system specifying the syntax of a language.

   • Because real lexicons are big and complex, from a software engineering perspective it is best to write simple grammars that have a simple, well-defined way, of pulling out the information they need from vast lexicons. That is, grammars should be thought of as separate entities which can access the information contained in lexicons. We can then use specialised mechanisms for efficiently storing the lexicon and retrieving data from it.

5. (countable, computing theory) A formal system defining a formal language.

6. (countable, figurative) The basic rules or principles of a field of knowledge or a particular skill.

7. (countable, British, archaic) A book describing these rules or principles; a textbook.

   • a grammar of geography

8. (countable and uncountable, chiefly British, informal) Ellipsis of grammar school.

9. (countable, cellular automata) A set of component patterns, along with the rules for connecting them, which can be combined to form more complex patterns such as large still lifes, oscillators, and spaceships.

verb

1. (obsolete, intransitive) To discourse according to the rules of grammar; to use grammar.