diff --git a/R/plot.R b/R/plot.R
index 1b84a1e1b2..f831b086d1 100644
--- a/R/plot.R
+++ b/R/plot.R
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 #'
 #' `ggplot()` initializes a ggplot object. It can be used to
 #' declare the input data frame for a graphic and to specify the
-#' set of plot aesthetics intended to be common throughout all
+#' set of aesthetic mappings for the plot, intended to be common throughout all
 #' subsequent layers unless specifically overridden.
 #'
 #' `ggplot()` is used to construct the initial plot object,
diff --git a/man/ggplot.Rd b/man/ggplot.Rd
index ecb7fe5401..8acc40b5cb 100644
--- a/man/ggplot.Rd
+++ b/man/ggplot.Rd
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ evaluation.}
 \description{
 \code{ggplot()} initializes a ggplot object. It can be used to
 declare the input data frame for a graphic and to specify the
-set of plot aesthetics intended to be common throughout all
+set of aesthetic mappings for the plot, intended to be common throughout all
 subsequent layers unless specifically overridden.
 }
 \details{