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 of topic

• theme
• matter
• subject
• question
• motif

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

In the episode, Williams, 69, reflects on how daytime TV talk shows became must-see, over-the-top TV in the ‘90s by finding increasingly scandalous topics. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026

Boys only Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. —Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026

Then, as ever, Petro had seemed to inhabit his own thoughts, speaking for more than two hours on a sprawling range of topics. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026

The Bears' Wild Card win over the Packers will remain a topic for years to come. —Matt Zahn, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

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)