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The definition of a topic is the subject of something.

(noun)

An example of a topic is a debate about teenagers and tobacco use.
An example of a topic is the subject of an essay or speech.

See topic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Historical
1. a class or category of considerations or arguments on which a rhetorician may draw
2. one such consideration or argument
the subject of a paragraph, essay, speech, etc.
a subject for discussion or conversation
a heading or item in an outline

Origin: L topica < Gr ta topika, title of a work by Aristotle < topikos, local, concerning < topoi, commonplaces < topos, place < IE base *top-, to arrive, goal > OE thafian, to endure

See topic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The subject of a speech, essay, thesis, or discourse.
A subject of discussion or conversation.
A subdivision of a theme, thesis, or outline. See Synonyms at subject.
Linguistics A word or phrase in a sentence, usually providing information from previous discourse or shared knowledge, that the rest of the sentence elaborates or comments on. Also called theme.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete topic, rhetorical argument

Origin: , sing. of Topics, title of a work by Aristotle

Origin: , from Latin Topica

Origin: , from Greek Topika, commonplaces

Origin: , from neuter pl. of topikos, of a place

Origin: , from topos, place

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