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metalanguage
This term is used almost exclusively in academic, technical, or professional contexts, such as linguistics, philosophy, and computer science. It is not a word used in casual daily conversation. The core concept is the distinction between the language being studied (the object language) and the language used to describe it (the metalanguage).
In linguistics, a metalanguage provides the terminology—such as "noun," "verb," or "syntax"—needed to analyze a target language. In computing, it refers to the formal notation used to define the rules of a programming language, such as Backus-Naur Form (BNF).
Because it is a specialized technical term, it does not carry emotional connotation or a positive/negative bias; it is purely descriptive and analytical.
Meanings
Examples
The professor explained how a metalanguage allows us to discuss the grammar of a target language.
We need a precise metalanguage to define the syntax of this new coding language.
I wonder if there is a universal metalanguage that can describe all human communication.
The technical manual uses a specific metalanguage to describe the API calls.
Is this terminology part of the object language or the metalanguage?
The ancient scrolls seem to use a complex metalanguage to comment on the original text.
He spent hours refining the metalanguage used in the compiler design.
Without a clear metalanguage, describing the rules of the game becomes confusing.