topic

[ top-ik ]

noun

1. a subject of conversation or discussion:

   to provide a topic for discussion.

2. the subject or theme of a discourse or of one of its parts.

   Synonyms: subject matter, thesis

3. Rhetoric, Logic. a general field of considerations from which arguments can be drawn.
4. Also called theme. Linguistics. the part of a sentence that announces the item about which the rest of the sentence communicates information, often signaled by initial position in the sentence or by a grammatical marker. Compare comment ( def 7 ).

topic

/ ˈtɒpɪk /

noun

1. a subject or theme of a speech, essay, book, etc
2. a subject of conversation; item of discussion
3. (in rhetoric, logic, etc) a category or class of arguments or ideas which may be drawn on to furnish proofs

Word History and Origins

Origin of topic¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin topica (plural), from Greek (tà) topiká name of work by Aristotle (literally, “(things) pertaining to commonplaces),” equivalent to tóp(os) “commonplace” + -ika, neuter plural of -ikos -ic; topo-

Word History and Origins

Origin of topic¹

C16: from Latin topica translating Greek ta topika, literally: matters relating to commonplaces, title of a treatise by Aristotle, from topoi, pl of topos place, commonplace

Synonym Study

See subject.

Example Sentences

Before Donald Trump became president, tariffs were a topic largely confined to history books.

From Salon

This contrasts with previous studies on the topic that have more heavily emphasized the transmission of knowledge from parent to child.

From Science Daily

He says it in a jokey way, as people tend to do when trying to deflect from a serious and emotionally difficult topic.

From BBC

The Republican Party platform, while vague on many topics, specifically says the GOP will champion prayer and reading the Bible in schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Swapping the Persona series' anime-inspired high school setting for a Medieval fantasy world, Metaphor: ReFantazio was praised for its storytelling and its handling of weighty topics such as racism and politics.

From BBC

Related Words

• affair
• argument
• business
• case
• field
• issue
• material
• matter
• point
• problem
• proposition
• question
• subject
• theme