Question: Here is one sentence: I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean.
Here is another sentence: The sky is red this morning -- does that mean we're in for a storm?
Does the mean mean the same thing in the two sentences?

Answer: the same meaning

Question: Here is one sentence: He was elected to a seat in the Senate.
Here is another sentence: He sat on the arm of the chair rather than the seat, which always annoyed his mother.
Does the seat mean the same thing in the two sentences?

Answer: different meanings

Question: Here is one sentence: Clarify beer.
Here is another sentence: Clarify the butter.
Does the clarify mean the same thing in the two sentences?

Answer: the same meaning

Question: Here is one sentence: He threw the ball into the air.
Here is another sentence: Her hand stopped in mid air.
Does the air mean the same thing in the two sentences?

Answer:
the same meaning