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

But the Roman logic was more sound than a random fear: allegedly, witches in those times gathered in groups of 12, and a 13th member was believed to be the devil. — Lily Puckett, Teen Vogue, "8 Origins, Myths, and Superstitions That Explain Friday the 13th," 12 July 2018 Like in the United States, where Valley Forge recently ceased production of the Confederate flag, there are also limits to that logic in China. — Michael D. Breidenbach, The Atlantic, "Raising the American Flag Made in China," 4 July 2018 Arguing with facts and logic is worse than useless. — Carolyn Hax, Detroit Free Press, "Rules for respectful political discourse," 4 July 2018 His logic won accolades in academia and played less well among pension officials. — Heather Gillers, WSJ, "Jeremy Gold Shook Up Pension World With Warnings About Risks," 13 July 2018 The typical Patrick’s Wallet meme doesn’t end with any whiff of vindication for Man Ray and his futile logic, nor for whoever is posting the meme in the first place. — Michael Andor Brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "How did Patrick Star of ‘SpongeBob’ become a meme phenomenon?," 12 July 2018 The uncovering of Hemingway’s misogyny and the manipulations that are pinned to it is, per their logic, an impermissible act of literary evaluation. — Dana Snitzky, Longreads, "Hemingway’s Last Girl," 12 July 2018 As someone who spends much of the day deep in policy nuance, I was taken aback by the obvious simplicity of his logic. — San Francisco Chronicle, "Last week my father built a lemonade stand with my 5-year-old son. After some sawing, drilling and several coats of yellow paint, my little capitalist opened his small business in front of a Muni stop. In two hours, they made $23.," 25 June 2018 The European debate therefore follows its own political logic, ever-more detached from the root causes of migratory flows. — The Economist, "An emergency EU summit makes little progress on migration," 24 June 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.