semantic generalization
a result of classical conditioning in which a word, phrase, or sentence functions as a conditioned stimulus because it shares the same (or highly similar) meaning with a word, phrase, or sentence that has already been established, via direct pairing with an unconditioned stimulus, as a conditioned stimulus. For example, the word delicious, when paired with actual food, will eventually elicit the response of salivation. After delicious is established as a conditioned stimulus, related words or phrases (e.g., tasty) may elicit the same or similar responses. See stimulus equivalence.