Abstract: As one of the main principles for examining and approving scientific and technological terms, monosemy requires that one concept corresponds only to one standard Chinese term, namely “one term with one meaning”. Polysemy and synonymy are two linguistic phenomena that pose a problem for the implementation of monosemy. With regard to polysemy, we can divide a term into different semantic items, obsolete uncommon items, denominate a term in line with its disciplines, and maintain polysemous terms across disciplines. As to synonymy, we can approve one term and abandon its synonyms, and establish variant names. We think that the implementation of monosemy should be conducted in accordance with the general principles and methods for examining and approving scientific terms. Moreover, specific and workable principles and methods should be explored for the characteristics of terms in traditional Chinese medicine.

Key words: terms in traditional Chinese medicine, monosemy, standardization of terms, denomination