1. a body of words and the systems for their use common to a people of the same community or nation, the same geographical area, or the same cultural tradition: the French language.
2.
a. communication using a system of arbitrary vocal sounds, written symbols, signs, or gestures in conventional ways with conventional meanings: spoken language; sign language.
b. the ability to communicate in this way.
3. the system of linguistic signs or symbols considered in the abstract.
4. any set or system of formalized symbols, signs, sounds, or gestures used or conceived as a means of communicating: the language of mathematics.
5. the means of communication used by animals: the language of birds.
6. communication of thought, feeling, etc., through a nonverbal medium: body language; the language of flowers.
7. the study of language; linguistics.
8. the vocabulary or phraseology used by a particular group, profession, etc.
9. a particular manner of verbal expression: flowery language.
10. choice of words or style of writing; diction: the language of poetry.
11. a set of symbols and syntactic rules for their combination and use, by means of which a computer can be given directions.
12. Archaic. faculty or power of speech.