topic

noun

top·​ic ˈtä-pik 

1

a

: the subject of a discourse or of a section of a discourse

b

: a heading in an outlined argument or exposition

2

a

: argument, reason

b

: one of the general forms of argument employed in probable reasoning

Synonyms

• content
• matter
• motif
• motive
• question
• subject
• theme

Examples of topic in a Sentence

He is comfortable discussing a wide range of topics.

topics such as health and fitness

Recent Examples on the Web

Among European policymakers and companies, this has been an important topic. —Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 14 June 2025

The incident raised the question of whether such hard racing was over the limit or within accepted bounds, a topic that continued to surface throughout different parts of the 2024 season. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 14 June 2025

The issue had been a contentious topic for several months, particularly during the April municipal elections. —Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Her shopping, how-to, and news articles related to the home and garden space address a wide range of topics, such as the cost and benefits of various landscaping services, features of appliances, home improvement tips, gardening tactics, how to attract backyard wildlife, and much more. —Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin Topica Topics (work by Aristotle), from Greek Topika, from topika, neuter plural of topikos of a place, of a topos, from topos place, topos

First Known Use

circa 1569, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Phrases Containing topic

• sub-topic
• topic of discussion
• topic sentence

Rhymes for topic

• tropic
• adrenocorticotropic
• anisotropic
• gonadotropic
• heterotopic
• kaleidoscopic
• ophthalmoscopic
• stereoscopic
• submicroscopic
• anthropic
• atopic
• ectopic

Kids Definition

topic

noun

top·​ic ˈtäp-ik 

1

: a heading in an outline of a subject or explanation

2

: the subject or a section of a subject (as of a speech or a report)