topic

noun

top·​ic ˈtä-pik How to pronounce topic (audio)
1
a
: the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse
b
: a heading in an outlined argument or exposition
2
b
: one of the general forms of argument employed in probable reasoning

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025 Students researched topics, including ethics in AI in public relations, internal communication management, crisis communication, and parasocial relationships and their ties to public relations. Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 21 May 2025 Market also put the spotlight on the urgent topic of visual literacy. Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025 Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for topic

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of topic was circa 1569

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Topic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/topic. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

topic

noun
top·​ic ˈtäp-ik How to pronounce topic (audio)
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)

More from Merriam-Webster on topic

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