The meaning of the is —used as a function word to indicate that a following noun or noun equivalent is definite or has been previously specified by context or by circumstance.. The is the definite article.
We use the definite article in front of a noun when we believe the listener/reader knows exactly what we are referring to:. The is usually pronounced (ðə ) before a consonant and (ði ) before a vowel, but pronounced (ði ) when you are.