Meaning of argument in English

Table of contents

Noun
argument
Etymology
Middle English (in the sense ‘process of reasoning’): via Old French from Latin argumentum, from arguere‘make clear, prove, accuse’
Definitions
1. a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
Examples
- « it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true »
Derived terms
2. a contentious speech act
Examples
- « a dispute where there is strong disagreement »
- « they were involved in a violent argument »
Derived terms
3. a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
Examples
- « the argument over foreign aid goes on and on »
Derived terms
4. a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie
Examples
- « the editor added the argument to the poem »
5. a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable
Examples
- « if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable »

Famous quotes

« Any time three New Yorkers get into a cab without an argument, a bank has just been robbed. »
Phyllis Diller
« Go beyond science, into the region of metaphysics. Real religion is beyond argument. It can only be lived both inwardly and outwardly. »
Swami Sivananda
« I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job. »
Margaret Thatcher
« There are 435 members of Congress. There's one 'Morning Joe' show. Hopefully, we can keep hammering the argument that you can disagree with other people and have debates but remain civil. »
Joe Scarborough
« Academics don't normally manage to alter people's way of thinking through their strength of argument. »
David Crystal