argument

[ ahr-gyuh-muhnt ]

noun

1. an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation:

   a violent argument.

2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate:

   They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.

3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons:

   I couldn't follow his argument.

4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point:

   This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.

5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
6. subject matter; theme:

   The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.

7. an abstract or summary of the major points in a work of prose or poetry, or of sections of such a work.
8. Mathematics.
   1. an independent variable of a function.
   2. Also called amplitude. the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.
   3. the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates. Compare principal argument.
9. Computers. a variable in a program, to which a value will be assigned when the program is run: often given in parentheses following a function name and used to calculate the function.
10. Obsolete.
    1. evidence or proof.
    2. a matter of contention.

argument

/ ˈɑːɡjʊmənt /

noun

1. a quarrel; altercation
2. a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate

   the argument on birth control will never be concluded

3. sometimes plural a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
4. a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
5. logic
   1. a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
   2. formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
6. logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
7. maths
   1. an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
   2. the amplitude of a complex number

Other Words From

• re·argu·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of argument¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin argūmentum; argue, -ment

Idioms and Phrases

see under pick a quarrel .

Synonym Study

Argument, controversy, dispute imply the expression of opinions for and against some idea. An argument usually arises from a disagreement between two people, each of whom advances facts supporting their own point of view. A controversy or a dispute may involve two or more people. A dispute is an oral contention, usually brief, and often of a heated, angry, or undignified character: a violent dispute over a purchase. A controversy is an oral or written expression of contrary opinions, and may be dignified and of some duration: a political controversy.

Example Sentences

McCarthy also said the president-elect could deal with the war in Ukraine, repeating a Trump argument that Russian President Vladimir Putin didn’t invade during his first administration.

From Los Angeles Times

And how awkward could it be if he found himself on the losing side of the argument, were hundreds of his own MPs to oppose a change?

From BBC

She added: “His argument about costs? We spend most of the NHS money on the last months of life.”

From BBC

His team insist he would carry on, and point out other ministers in the health department disagree with him, so it is certain some health ministers will find themselves on the losing side of the argument.

From BBC

For many, this argument over population and immigration had become a battle over whether Americans want to live in a diverse society.

From Salon

Related Words

• altercation
• bickering
• brawl
• clash
• controversy
• debate
• disagreement
• dispute
• exchange
• feud
• quarrel
• squabble