topic

noun

top·​ic ˈtä-pik 

1

a

: the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse

b

: a heading in an outlined argument or exposition

2

a

: argument, reason

b

: one of the general forms of argument employed in probable reasoning

Synonyms

• content
• matter
• motif
• motive
• question
• subject
• theme

Examples of topic in a Sentence

He is comfortable discussing a wide range of topics.

topics such as health and fitness

Recent Examples on the Web

Basic training in granular but powerful topics like these can make a big difference. —Arturo Garcia, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025

Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025

The main topic of conversation was how the duo turned a photo album featuring the banal daily activities of workers at Auschwitz-Birkenau into a searing play. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025

One of the last comprehensive studies on the topic was published in 2009 and included just 76 trials and 34 treatments. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin Topica Topics (work by Aristotle), from Greek Topika, from topika, neuter plural of topikos of a place, of a topos, from topos place, topos

First Known Use

circa 1569, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing topic

• sub-topic
• topic of discussion
• topic sentence

Rhymes for topic

• tropic
• adrenocorticotropic
• anisotropic
• gonadotropic
• heterotopic
• kaleidoscopic
• ophthalmoscopic
• stereoscopic
• submicroscopic
• anthropic
• atopic
• ectopic

Kids Definition

topic

noun

top·​ic ˈtäp-ik 

1

: a heading in an outline of a subject or explanation

2

: the subject or a section of a subject (as of a speech or a report)