topic

American  

[top-ik] / ˈtɒp ɪk /

noun

• topics
  plural

1. a subject of conversation or discussion.

   to provide a topic for discussion.

2. the subject or theme of a discourse or of one of its parts.

   Synonyms:

   subject matter, thesis

3. Rhetoric, Logic. a general field of considerations from which arguments can be drawn.

4. Also called theme.  Linguistics. the part of a sentence that announces the item about which the rest of the sentence communicates information, often signaled by initial position in the sentence or by a grammatical marker.

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topic British  

/ ˈtɒpɪk /

noun

1. a subject or theme of a speech, essay, book, etc

2. a subject of conversation; item of discussion

3. (in rhetoric, logic, etc) a category or class of arguments or ideas which may be drawn on to furnish proofs

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Synonym Usage

See subject.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• topics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of topic

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin topica (plural), from Greek (tà) topiká name of work by Aristotle (literally, “(things) pertaining to commonplaces),” equivalent to tóp(os) “commonplace” + -ika, neuter plural of -ikos -ic; see topo-

Explanation

A topic is a subject. It's what you're discussing or what a newspaper article is about, the theme of a documentary, or the focus of your term paper. Green energy, the Oscar nominees, what's on the lunch menu, boxers or briefs — these are all considered topics. If something is a "hot topic," then everybody is talking about it. If it's a "topic for discussion," then someone wants to have a serious conversation about it. If you're at a dinner party, you can talk about all kinds of topics with other guests. But to keep peace at the table, avoid bringing up controversial political or religious topics.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

topic topics

Last month, Cunningham, one of the league's most high-profile players, gave an interview to ESPN, external in which the conversation turned to the topic of "protecting" women's sports.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

One training noted that it was “not an introductory course,” hinting that the school-based health providers are well-versed in the topic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026

“It seems to still be an important topic for women to hear other women speak about,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

What troubles the team is that since problems arose surrounding redemptions at the end of the first quarter, the rise in risk assets has pushed the topic of private-credit risk off the radar.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

And no sooner than Duane would reply with a “That sounds like quite a high jump indeed,” Magic would have moved on to the topic of home renovations for a fox hole.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Kercher's sister, Stephanie told BBC Breakfast her sibling "wouldn't find these topics of any comedy value".

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

“She covered topics that weren’t being covered. It was extraordinary the audiences that the show drew, and she served them real stories that were affecting Americans across the country but weren’t necessarily being represented anywhere.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026

Micro-trends in production, slang and topics come and go quickly.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026

We also look at topics including ways to boost your retirement savings, the bars courting Gen X and why good health begins with your mouth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026

But none of those topics interested the three men in the room that evening.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Related Words

• affair
• argument
• business
• case
• field
• issue
• material
• matter
• point
• problem
• proposition
• question
• subject
• theme