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

Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. —Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 10 May 2025

The nominees for its book, broadcast media and journalism awards celebrate digital and traditional media — radio, television broadcasts, podcasts, documentaries, online sites, social media — covering food and beverage topics published or self-published in 2024. —Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

The topic quickly became a source of rumors and speculation before Belichick issued a statement defending Hudson. —Natasha Dye, People.com, 9 May 2025

August grief, September suicide prevention, October stress, November anxiety and December anger—a full calendar year of mental health topics. —Katherine Fung, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 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)