What does the term discourse refer to?

The term discourse refers to a discussion or the entire text/conversation, encompassing language in use beyond mere sentences or isolated phrases. It highlights how language functions in context, illustrating how ideas, beliefs, and social interactions are expressed through communication. Discourse includes not only the spoken or written language itself but also the implications, structures, and meanings that arise from extended communication, whether it be in spoken conversations, written texts, or even visual forms of communication. This broader perspective allows for a deeper analysis of how language is employed to convey knowledge, perform social actions, and display relationships among speakers or writers.