logic

noun

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

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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

That said, these are all assumptions based on a logic to which Trump might be immune. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Will Actually Happen to Trump?," 19 Dec. 2018 That's because part of the system's logic depends on fleet-speed data—as in, how fast other Teslas tend to go in any particular spot. — Ezra Dyer, Popular Mechanics, "With 'Navigate on Autopilot,' a Tesla Can Take a Highway Exit All by Itself," 3 Dec. 2018 Many researchers have developed cells with a simple form of logic: switches based on AND and OR gates. — Eric Smalley, Discover Magazine, "Cellular Cyborgs: How Programmable DNA Strands Might Control Healing," 25 Sep. 2018 That’s not an easy thing to sell to a lot of people, particularly those still operating on the dated logic that a championship-caliber team can be developed organically in today’s NBA. — David Murphy, Philly.com, "How much value does the Sixers' newly acquired first-round draft pick have? More than you might think | David Murphy," 22 June 2018 And beyond that, Melania represents the void that is the entire administration, which by any lights is devoid of logic, coherent policies, and finally, leadership. — Rhonda Garelick, The Cut, "Melania’s Recent Behavior Is Right Out of Hitchcock," 11 June 2018 The suggestion Cordray and DeWine are too dull to be governor was always based on flawed logic. — Robert Higgs, cleveland.com, "AP declares Jim Renacci as winner of GOP primary for U.S. Senate," 8 May 2018 Indeed, the fact that players cannot explain the reasoning behind their best moves offers a hint as to why old-style Go-playing computers, based on formal logic, were never any good. — The Economist, "AI in societyFor artificial intelligence to thrive, it must explain itself," 15 Feb. 2018 There is a presumed logic that some of the more exciting host options—like Tiffany Haddish or Maya Rudolph or my personal favorite, Billy Eichner—are somehow not recognizable enough to entice a mass audience. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Who Needs an Oscars Host Anyway?," 7 Dec. 2018

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.