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

Lamar and SZA recently sat down for an interview with Harper's Bazaar, which covered a wide range of topics from spirituality to mental health.

From BBC

In an interview, Principal Kristine Puich described strategies that included aligning conference periods by grade level and topic so teachers could plan together and compare results.

From Los Angeles Times

All these different topics are coming to my head, and we make the next record.”

From Los Angeles Times

The service charge is the hot topic among leaseholders.

From BBC

The show’s format features Reali asking for a hot take from each panel member on a number of trending sports topics.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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