The 'meaning' of words is not fixed: it's primarily about the 'use' of words:
The symbolic nature of our communication is a quality unique to humans. Since the words we use do not have to correspond directly to a “thing” in our “reality,” we can communicate in abstractions.3.1 Language and Meaning – Communication in the Real World
For example, 'female':
1 a(1): of, relating to, or being the sex that typically has the capacity to bear young or produce eggs
b: having a gender identity that is the opposite of maleFemale Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
Or 'woman':
1a: an adult female personWoman Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The Cambridge Dictionary gives similar definitions:
WOMAN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
But the English-speaking world has suddenly got rather agitated:
Cambridge Dictionary expands its definition of 'woman' to include transgender women - ABC News
Cambridge Dictionary updates definition of ‘woman’
Cambridge Dictionary changes definition of 'man' and 'woman'
Cambridge Dictionary Alters The Definition Of 'Man' And 'Woman'
Fury as Cambridge Dictionary updates definition of word 'woman' | The Sun
Cambridge dictionary expand definition of 'man and woman' to include transgender - BBC News Pidgin
The interest has been huge since the 'change' earlier in the week - so that the word is about to become 'the word of the year':
In today's EL Gazette, Melanie Butler gives a very entertaining look at the story - and quotes the Cambridge Dictionary people - that it's all about 'use':
A spokesperson for Cambridge University Press and Assessment told The Telegraph, “Our editors made this addition to the entry for women in October. They carefully studied usage patterns of the word woman and concluded that this definition is one that learners of English should be aware of to support their understanding of how the language is used”.Dictionary definition sparks global culture clash | E L Gazette
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