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, 17 Nov. 2025

Babcock wanted the sound in the cell to convey a sense of claustrophobia and of no escape from the serious topics under discussion. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 16 Nov. 2025

Some of the jokes landed, but by the end of the evening, the topic felt completely exhausted. —Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 16 Nov. 2025

Smith's status on the hot seat has been a hot topic in the college football world amid a seven-game losing streak. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 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)