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topic definition

topic (täp′ik)

noun

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

Etymology: 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

topic Synonyms

topic

n.

question, theme, subject, text, thesis, theorem, material, proposition, resolution, motion, argument, field of inquiry, point, point in question, matter, matter in hand, problem, moot point, affair, division, head, issue. See syn. study at subject.subject.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

topic Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cover: Each track is broken into seminars which cover topics in-depth.

Adjective modifier

  • hot: Hot Topics provide a guide to current key issues.

Modifies a noun

  • author: Topic author: dabigfella Subject: Where are the goals to come from?

Noun used with modifier

  • dissertation: Dissertation topics The range of possible topics is very wide.

Preposition: in

  • depth: Each issue contains an extended exploration of a current topic in depth.

Preposition: of

  • relevance: The website contains articles and presentations on a wide range of topics of relevance to finance and banking.
topic usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

topic quotes

Ihappentofeel thatthe degree of a person's intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting attitudes she can bring to bear on the same topic.

-Alther, Lisa ne¤  e Reed

Now, sir, there isthelibertyof thepress, whichyou know is a constant topic. Suppose you and I and two hundred more were restrained from printing our thoughts: what then? What proportionwould that restraint uponusbear to the private happiness of the nation?

-Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

We must now examine whether just people also live better and are happier than unjust ones. I think it's clear already that this is so, but we must look into it further, since the argument concerns no ordinary topic, but the way we ought to live.

-Plato

topic quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
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APA Style

topic. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/topic

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