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 are a lot of theories, but logic dictates that as more money is spent to pay the interest on the debt, less money will be available for other government provided services. — Ross Levin, Star Tribune, "When will things get better? 3 keys to getting past this," 15 Aug. 2020 Instagram’s trendy roots live on in these informational posts, many of which have managed to cross the logic of textbook diagrams with what Jess describes as the aesthetic sensibility of Goop. — Washington Post, "Selfies and sunsets be gone: The latest Instagram trend is PowerPoint-style presentations," 15 Aug. 2020 Sterling and Blair’s world — and the logic of their kitschy twin telepathy — is thrown into total chaos. — Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, "All Of Your Teenage Bounty Hunters Finale Questions, Answered," 14 Aug. 2020 This speaks to the synergies of, and the logic behind, the Livongo-Teladoc deal. — Sy Mukherjee, Fortune, "How Livongo reached its historic $18.5 billion Teladoc merger," 13 Aug. 2020 As Johnston tells Peabody, the colonialists and U.S. forces argued, through racist logic, that Native Hawaiians were incapable of self-rule. — Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, "How the 19th Amendment Complicated the Status and Role of Women in Hawaii," 13 Aug. 2020 Iowa State University has a hotline to help farmers cope with PTSD and depression as the logic of the food supply chain turns against them. — Ted Genoways, The New Republic, "Beyond Big Meat," 4 Aug. 2020 But even airtight logic can bring us to false conclusions if a premise is false. — Dan Carsen, al, "Thinking about thinking (without the BS)," 2 Aug. 2020 Not just because Congress had an impressive hearing, but because the confluence of crises now demand action, even by these companies’ own hands-off logic. — Noam Cohen, Wired, "For Big Tech, There's No Winning This Round," 31 July 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.