argument Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun a fact or assertion offered as evidence that something is true
statement.
- it was a strong argument that his hypothesis was true
noun a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement
contestation; contention; arguing; tilt; controversy; disputation; disceptation.
- they were involved in a violent argument
noun a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
argumentation; debate.
- the argument over foreign aid goes on and on
noun a summary of the subject or plot of a literary work or play or movie
literary argument.
- the editor added the argument to the poem
noun (computer science) a reference or value that is passed to a function, procedure, subroutine, command, or program
parameter.
noun a variable in a logical or mathematical expression whose value determines the dependent variable; if f(x)=y, x is the independent variable
noun a course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating a truth or falsehood; the methodical process of logical reasoning
argumentation; line; line of reasoning; logical argument.
- I can't follow your line of reasoning

F. argument, L. argumentum, fr. arguere to argue.

Proof; evidence. Obs.
There is.. no more palpable and convincing argument of the existence of a Deity. Ray.

Why, then, is it made a badge of wit and an argument of parts for a man to commence atheist, and to cast off all belief of providence, all awe and reverence for religion? South.
A reason or reasons offered in proof, to induce belief, or convince the mind; reasoning expressed in words; as, an argument about, concerning, or regarding a proposition, for or in favor of it, or against it.
A process of reasoning, or a controversy made up of rational proofs; argumentation; discussion; disputation.
The argument is about things, but names. Locke.
The subject matter of a discourse, writing, or artistic representation; theme or topic; also, an abstract or summary, as of the contents of a book, chapter, poem.
You and love are still my argument. Shak.

The abstract or argument of the piece. Jeffrey.

[Shields] with boastful argument portrayed. Milton.
Matter for question; business in hand. Obs.
Sheathed their swords for lack of argument. Shak.
(Astron.) The quantity on which another quantity in a table depends; as, the altitude is the argument of the refraction.
(Math.) The independent variable upon whose value that of a function depends. Brande & C.