subject matter

noun

: matter presented for consideration in discussion, thought, or study

Examples of subject matter in a Sentence

I found the film's subject matter to be quite disturbing.

She disapproves of the artist's choice of subject matter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Officials said the school also improved its graduation rate from 75% to 95% and its faculty saw in the number holding the proper credentials — from 43 to more than 90 who have the correct subject matter licenses. — Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Its subject, Mica, is especially lovely, which makes its subject matter — her death — especially disturbing. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026

The page will surely contain clues—maybe the subject matter points to a particular shelf, or the author uses telltale turns of phrase—but sometimes a match can’t be found. — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026

Here, the subject matter is clear, and the tone, though solemn, is usually celebratory. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subject matter

• antimatter
• atter
• batter
• blatter
• catarrh
• chatter
• clatter
• fatter
• flatter
• hatter
• latter
• natter

Kids Definition

subject matter

noun

: matter presented for consideration in discussion, thought, or study

the poem's subject matter