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

Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. —Arkansas Online, 3 Nov. 2025

More than 1,300 academic papers and dozens of books have been published on the topic. —David Merritt Johns, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025

Sandell came into the game to attempt a 51-yard field goal in the second quarter and his gameday attire became the topic of conversation. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025

The major exam had focused on Augustus for the past four years, but teachers didn’t realize the topic had changed — even though schools were notified about the upcoming switch in 2023 and the information was available publicly online, per the outlet. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 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)