如果把模型等价于英文中的Model来理解，可以概括出以下涵义：
（1）依实物的形状和结构按比例制成的物品，用于展览或实验（a small copy or imitation of an existing object made to scale for exhibition or experiment）；
（2）制造产品之前制作的参考雏型或结构（a preliminary work or construction that serves as a plan from which a final product is to be made）；
（3）对系统、理论或现象的示意性描述，用来解释其已知的或推断的性质，也可用于进一步研究其特点（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）