What is the field of study that focuses on the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences?

The field that focuses on the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences is semantics. Semantics deals with how meaning is constructed, understood, and interpreted in language. It examines relationships between words, the meanings of those words individually, and how they combine to create more complex meanings in phrases and sentences. This exploration involves an analysis of various elements, such as denotation (the literal meaning), connotation (the associated meaning), and the context in which words are used.

In contrast, phonetics pertains to the sounds of human speech; sociolinguistics examines how language varies and changes in social contexts; pragmatics focuses on how context influences the interpretation of meaning beyond the literal interpretation, such as in understanding implied meanings or the impact of social situations on communication.