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

Some topics of conversation can be the type of retinol and formula, which should include soothing and barrier-supporting ingredients. — Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

This topic needs more research, but what CTGT found suggests that the proliferation of Chinese AI models doesn’t pose as big of a security risk as some might believe. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 29 July 2026

Not since the festival release of Wicker has basketweaving been this hot a topic. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 29 July 2026

According to Shapiro, who published a research brief on the topic, new files stopped appearing around April 2025. — Los Angeles Times, 29 July 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
• allotropic
• arthroscopic
• barotropic
• cystoscopic
• endoscopic
• gyroscopic
• hygroscopic
• isentropic
• isotopic
• isotropic

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)