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

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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 Kemp's logic was that the financial services executive, although a political novice, could appeal to suburban women who had left the Republican Party over Trump, particularly because Loeffler was a woman and an outsider. — Naomi Lim, Washington Examiner, "Was Trump right about Kelly Loeffler? He wanted Doug Collins all along," 9 Jan. 2021 Solving the problem Gottlieb identified meant ruining the logic of the novel Toole had written. — Tom Bissell, The New Yorker, "The Uneasy Afterlife of “A Confederacy of Dunces”," 5 Jan. 2021 Elkann noted that the coronavirus pandemic has only strengthened the logic of the merger. — Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Stellantis gets shareholder blessing; Fiat Chrysler, PSA merger could be complete in weeks," 5 Jan. 2021 The logic goes like this: When the central bank buys bonds from commercial banks, the proceeds are credited to those banks in the form of additional reserves parked at the monetary authority. — Mike Bird, WSJ, "How the 2020 QE Boom Might Trip Up Central Bankers," 29 Dec. 2020 Russian presence becomes Russian control: the only logic of Putin’s neo-czarist ambitions. — Ivan Sascha Sheehan, National Review, "Russia’s New Territory," 23 Dec. 2020 Throw in the way that the pantomime dances of TikTok resemble the hammiest disco moves, and the logic of a revival feels inevitable. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, "How Disco Defined 2020," 23 Dec. 2020 While the goal is admirable, the logic of the measure—which was championed by the Trump White House—is hard to defend. — Lila Maclellan, Quartz, "The “three-martini lunch” tax break sums up why so many people hate capitalism," 21 Dec. 2020 The prevailing logic entering Saturday was that Notre Dame was already in the CFP. — J. Brady Mccollough Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, "Commentary: Not holding CFP semifinal at Rose Bowl is the right call," 19 Dec. 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.