topic

/ˈtɑpɪk/

/ˈtɒpɪk/

Other forms: topics

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.

Definitions of topic

1. noun

   the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
   “it was a very sensitive topic”

   synonyms: subject, theme

   types:

   bone of contention

   the subject of a dispute

   precedent

   a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)

   head, question

   the subject matter at issue

   keynote

   the principal theme in a speech or literary work

   problem

   a question raised for consideration or solution

   matter of fact, question of fact

   a disputed factual contention that is generally left for a jury to decide

   matter of law, question of law

   a disputed legal contention that is generally left for a judge to decide

   type of:

   content, message, subject matter, substance

   what a communication that is about something is about
2. noun

   some situation or event that is thought about
   “he kept drifting off the topic”

   synonyms: issue, matter, subject

   types:

   area

   a subject of study

   blind spot

   a subject about which you are ignorant or prejudiced and fail to exercise good judgment

   remit

   the topic that a person, committee, or piece of research is expected to deal with or has authority to deal with

   res adjudicata, res judicata

   a matter already settled in court; cannot be raised again

   gray area, grey area

   an intermediate area; a topic that is not clearly one thing or the other

   territory

   an area of knowledge or interest

   type of:

   cognitive content, content, mental object

   the sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned