如果把模型等價于英文中的Model來理解，可以概括出以下涵義：（1）依實物的形狀和結構按比例制成的物品，用于展覽或實驗（a small copy or imitation of an existing object made to scale for exhibition or experiment）；

（2）制造產品之前制作的參考雛型或結構（a preliminary work or construction that serves as a plan from which a final product is to be made）；

（3）對系統、理論或現象的示意性描述，用來解釋其已知的或推斷的性質，也可用于進一步研究其特點（a schematic description of a system, theory, or phenomenon that accounts for its known or inferred properties and may be used for further study of its characteristics）。