logos

American  

[loh-gos, -gohs, log-os] / ˈloʊ gɒs, -goʊs, ˈlɒg ɒs /

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) the rational principle that governs and develops the universe.

2. Theology. the divine word or reason incarnate in Jesus Christ. John 1:1–14.

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Logos ¹ British  

/ ˈlɒɡɒs /

noun

1. Christian theol the divine Word; the second person of the Trinity incarnate in the person of Jesus

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logos ² British  

/ ˈlɒɡɒs /

noun

1. philosophy reason or the rational principle expressed in words and things, argument, or justification; esp personified as the source of order in the universe

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Etymology

Origin of logos

First recorded in 1580–90; from Greek lógos “word, saying; speech, discourse; thought, reckoning; proportion, ratio,” derivative of légein “to choose, gather; recount, tell over, speak”; cf. lection

Compare meaning

How does logos compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• ethos vs. logos

Explanation

In rhetoric, logos is a method of persuading someone using reason and logic. If you convince your grandpa that climate change is real by showing him scientific data, you're using logos. Philosophers have used the term logos since ancient times. Aristotle was the first to define the word as "reasoned discourse," and considered it one of the major forms of persuasion. Christians adopted logos to mean "the word of God," and Jungian psychology labels the rational part of the human mind as logos. Logos is a Greek word meaning "word, discourse, or reason," and it's the root of logic.

Example Sentences

Unlike other luxury brands that have toyed with new logos and typefaces in the last decade, the LV monogram has carried down through the various changes in leadership at Vuitton.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

In one administrative building, old Russian logos are being replaced -- however some posters and instructions in Cyrillic script remain.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

The surface is painted white and sealed, with ice hockey markings and logos added.

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2026

Forty participants were asked to remember pairings between logos and brand names.

From Science Daily • Feb. 3, 2026

I also asked if he would be willing to give us masking tape to tape our logos and not destroy outside property.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers