logic

log·ic | \ ˈlä-jik

Definition of logic

1a(1) : a science that deals with the principles and criteria of validity of inference and demonstration : the science of the formal principles of reasoning a professor of logic

(2) : a branch or variety of logic modal logic Boolean logic

(3) : a branch of semiotics especially : syntactics

(4) : the formal principles of a branch of knowledge the logic of grammar

b(1) : a particular mode of reasoning viewed as valid or faulty She spent a long time explaining the situation, but he failed to see her logic.

(2) : relevance, propriety could not understand the logic of such an action

c : interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable By the logic of events, anarchy leads to dictatorship.

d : the arrangement of circuit elements (as in a computer) needed for computation also : the circuits themselves

2 : something that forces a decision apart from or in opposition to reason the logic of war

Other Words from logic Synonyms How are logistics and logic related? More Example Sentences Learn More about logic

Keep scrolling for more

How are logistics and logic related?

Logistics follows the same pattern of other plural nouns—such as ballistics, linguistics, statistics, or physics—that represent fields of study and take either a singular or plural verb.

Logic, used strictly in the singular, is a science that deals with the formal principles of reason. If a visitor walks in the house with wet hair, it is logical for one to assume that it is raining outside. Logistics, which involves such concerns as the delivery of personnel or supplies in an efficient manner, can often employ logic, such as by reasoning out the path least likely to interrupt the flow of a delivery:

As with many other areas of the economy, the digital revolution is having a profound effect on delivery logistics. The combination of mobile computing, analytics, and cloud services, all of which are fueled by the Internet of Things (IoT), is changing how delivery and fulfillment companies are conducting their operations.
—Andrew Meola, Business Insider, 14 Oct. 2016

Both logic and logistics ultimately derive from the Greek logos, meaning "reason." But while logic derives directly from Greek, logistics took a longer route, first passing into French as logistique, meaning "art of calculating," and then into English from there.

Examples of logic in a Sentence

If you just use a little logic, you'll see I'm right. There's no logic in your reasoning. There's some logic to what he says. There's a certain logic in what he says. The revolution proceeded according to its own logic. the logic of the situation

Recent Examples on the Web There’s a problem with that logic though: The agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, a potent climate-warming refrigerant, by 85% by 2035, is in essence a mandate. — Abby Smith, Washington Examiner, "Daily on Energy: Is the huge clean energy and climate bill passage a model for Biden?," 22 Dec. 2020 That logic led SpaceX to bid for this government backing. — Tim Fernholz, Quartz, "How Trump’s FCC shaped the space business for years to come," 10 Dec. 2020 The first such protocol was based on the rudimentary yet elegant logic of the thesis-antithesis-synthesis progression. — Lettie Prell, Wired, "The Future of Work: ‘Collaborative Configurations of Minds’ by Lettie Prell," 4 Dec. 2020 His brother Jose, 19, questioned that logic, wondering if the prices were just jacked up to make things look like a sale. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, "L.A. County’s holiday COVID-19 restrictions face skepticism from a weary public. Will people obey?," 29 Nov. 2020 An unexpected road win over Minnesota on Sunday afternoon established the Cowboys as the favorite of the moment in a division that defies competitive logic. — David Moore, Dallas News, "The Cowboys just squandered their only chance to make the playoffs in a well-deserved loss," 26 Nov. 2020 The book arrays random but potent images in a way that recalls surrealism, which was keen on dream logic, but also mid-20th-century pop culture. — Washington Post, "In the galleries: The Washington colorists and the CIA," 20 Nov. 2020 The Big Ten will attempt to play nine games in nine weeks, which sounds implausible, if not impossible, based on logic. — Star Tribune, "Gophers, Big Ten about to join football's season of chaos," 20 Oct. 2020 And that when a crime defies logic, the search for the absolute truth about it is, at best, quixotic. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘A Wilderness of Error’ Review: The Absence of Absolutes," 22 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'logic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.