Which of the following best defines connotation?

Connotation refers to the emotional and cultural associations that a word carries beyond its literal meaning, which is known as its denotation. When a word invokes feelings or ideas in addition to its straightforward definition, it reflects the connotation of that word. For instance, the word "home" connotes warmth, security, and family, while its denotation simply refers to a place of residence.

In contrast, the other options address different aspects of language. The dictionary definition pertains to the literal meaning of a word, which is not what connotation describes. A technical term is specific to a particular field and does not convey emotional meanings but rather precise definitions relevant to that field. Lastly, an expression that replaces offensive terms relates to euphemisms, which do not inherently involve emotional associations tied to a word. Therefore, the selected definition accurately captures the essence of connotation.