I. Polysemy

Polysemy is the existence of several meanings for a single word or phrase.

The word polysemy comes from the Greek words πολυ-, poly-, “many” and σήμα, sêma, “sign”.

In other words it is the capacity for a word, phrase, or sign to have multiple meanings i.e., a large semantic field.

Polysemy is a pivotal concept within the humanities, such as media studies and linguistics.

A word like walk is polysemous:

1. I went walking this morning

2. We went for a walk last Sunday

3. Do you walk the dog every day?

4. I live near Meadow Walk Drive

5. The wardrobe is too heavy to lift; we’ll have to walk it into the bedroom (move a large object by rocking).

6. She walks the tower (to haunt a place as a ghost).

7. The workers threatened to walk (to go on strike).

8. Walk with God! (to live your life in a particular way)

Reference

http://www.afv.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161:polysemy-a-homonymy&catid=121:miscellaneous&Itemid=352