The most direct or specific meaning of a word or expression; the class of objects that an expression refers to WordNet 3.0 & Open English WordNet

In linguistics and philosophy, the denotation of an expression is its literal meaning. Wikipedia

In any of several fields of study that treat the use of signs — for example, in linguistics, logic, mathematics, semantics, semiotics, and philosophy of language — the extension of a concept, idea, or sign consists of the things to which it applies, in contrast with its comprehension or intension, which consists very roughly of the ideas, properties, or corresponding signs that are implied or suggested by the concept in question. Wikipedia

In semiotics, denotation is the surface or the literal meaning, the definition most likely to appear in a dictionary. Wikipedia

The set of things to which a property applies Wikipedia Disambiguation

In the context of semantics the extension of a concept, idea, or sign Wikidata

Term in semiotics Wikidata

The literal meaning of something. OmegaWiki

The primary, surface, literal, or explicit meaning of a signifier such as a word, phrase, or symbol; that which a word denotes, as contrasted with its connotation; the aggregate or set of objects of which a word may be predicated. Wiktionary

Primary or explicit meaning. Wiktionary (translation)