In LCCM theory, the nature of encyclopaedic knowledge to which an individual lexical concept provides potential access. That part of a word's semantic potential which is activated is a consequence of linguistic and extra linguistic context. For instance, in the following utterances:

1. France is a region of outstanding beauty
2. France rejected the EU constitution the semantic contribution of France is distinct because of the differential activation of parts of the encyclopaedic knowledge to which France provides access.