argument

[ ahr-gyuh-muhnt ]

noun

1. an oral disagreement; verbal opposition; contention; altercation:

   a violent argument.

2. a discussion involving differing points of view; debate:

   They were deeply involved in an argument about inflation.

3. a process of reasoning; series of reasons:

   I couldn't follow his argument.

4. a statement, reason, or fact for or against a point:

   This is a strong argument in favor of her theory.

5. an address or composition intended to convince or persuade; persuasive discourse.
6. subject matter; theme:

   The central argument of his paper was presented clearly.

7. an abstract or summary of the major points in a work of prose or poetry, or of sections of such a work.
8. Mathematics.
   1. an independent variable of a function.
   2. Also called amplitude. the angle made by a given vector with the reference axis.
   3. the angle corresponding to a point representing a given complex number in polar coordinates. Compare principal argument.
9. Computers. a variable in a program, to which a value will be assigned when the program is run: often given in parentheses following a function name and used to calculate the function.
10. Obsolete.
    1. evidence or proof.
    2. a matter of contention.

argument

/ ˈɑːɡjʊmənt /

noun

1. a quarrel; altercation
2. a discussion in which reasons are put forward in support of and against a proposition, proposal, or case; debate

   the argument on birth control will never be concluded

3. sometimes plural a point or series of reasons presented to support or oppose a proposition
4. a summary of the plot or subject of a book, etc
5. logic
   1. a process of deductive or inductive reasoning that purports to show its conclusion to be true
   2. formally, a sequence of statements one of which is the conclusion and the remainder the premises
6. logic an obsolete name for the middle term of a syllogism
7. maths
   1. an element to which an operation, function, predicate, etc, applies, esp the independent variable of a function
   2. the amplitude of a complex number

Other Words From

• re·argu·ment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of argument¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English (from Old French ), from Latin argūmentum; argue, -ment

Idioms and Phrases

see under pick a quarrel .

Synonym Study

Argument, controversy, dispute imply the expression of opinions for and against some idea. An argument usually arises from a disagreement between two people, each of whom advances facts supporting their own point of view. A controversy or a dispute may involve two or more people. A dispute is an oral contention, usually brief, and often of a heated, angry, or undignified character: a violent dispute over a purchase. A controversy is an oral or written expression of contrary opinions, and may be dignified and of some duration: a political controversy.

Example Sentences

“They said my son is gone. How? Why? What happened? He was with Dad at Grandpa’s house? Was there something exposed that he wasn’t suppose to see? Was someone fighting? Was there an argument?”

From Los Angeles Times

Barton writes all six episodes of his deadly spy game as an argument that it – and every other bloody festive spectacular – absolutely is without dropping titles or catchphrases.

From Salon

On Thursday evening, the arguments for and against the fences got fleshed out at a meeting of the Griffith Park Advisory Board.

From Los Angeles Times

A citizens assembly could redress that ignorance, resurfacing conservative arguments in favor of sanctuary while, of course, allowing those who feel harmed by it present their points of view.

From Salon

The social media company had hoped a federal appeals court would uphold its argument that the law was unconstitutional.

From BBC

Related Words

• altercation
• bickering
• brawl
• clash
• controversy
• debate
• disagreement
• dispute
• exchange
• feud
• quarrel
• squabble