n.

1. 1. A discussion in which disagreement is expressed; a debate.
   2. A quarrel; a dispute.
   3. Archaic. A reason or matter for dispute or contention: “sheath'd their swords for lack of argument” (Shakespeare).
2. 1. A course of reasoning aimed at demonstrating truth or falsehood: presented a careful argument for extraterrestrial life.
   2. A fact or statement put forth as proof or evidence; a reason: The current low mortgage rates are an argument for buying a house now.
   3. A set of statements in which one follows logically as a conclusion from the others.
3. 1. A summary or short statement of the plot or subject of a literary work.
   2. A topic; a subject: “You and love are still my argument” (Shakespeare).
4. Logic. The minor premise in a syllogism.
5. Mathematics.
   1. An independent variable of a function.
   2. The angle of a complex number measured from the positive horizontal axis.
6. Computer Science. A value used to evaluate a procedure or subroutine.
7. Linguistics. In generative grammar, any of various positions occupied by a noun phrase in a sentence.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin argūmentum, from arguere, to make clear. See argue.]

SYNONYMS  argument, dispute, controversy. These nouns denote discussion involving conflicting points of view. Argument stresses the advancement by each side of facts and reasons intended to persuade the other side: Emotions are seldom swayed by argument. Dispute implies animosity: A dispute arose among union members about the terms of the new contract. Controversy applies especially to major differences of opinion involving large groups of people: The use of nuclear power is the subject of widespread controversy.

In a computer spreadsheet program, values that must be specified for a given function. For example, in Excel the PMT function calculates the periodic payment for a loan based on the interest rate charged, the number of payments desired, and the principal amount. The syntax of the function is PMT (rate, nper, pv), where rate, nper, and pv are arguments.

noun

1. A discussion, often heated, in which a difference of opinion is expressed: altercation, bicker, clash, contention, controversy, debate, difficulty, disagreement, dispute, fight, polemic, quarrel, run-in, spat, squabble, tiff, word (used in plural), wrangle. Informal hassle, rhubarb, tangle. See conflict/cooperation.
2. A course of reasoning: case, point. See reason/unreason.
3. A fact or circumstance that gives logical support to an assertion, claim, or proposal: ground (often used in plural), proof, reason, wherefore, why. Idioms: why and wherefore. See reason/unreason.
4. What a speech, piece of writing, or artistic work is about: matter, point, subject, subject matter, text, theme, topic. See meaning.

argument, in the specialized literary sense, a brief summary of the plot or subject‐matter of a long poem (or other work), such as those prefixed to the books of Milton's Paradise Lost; or, in a sense closer to everyday usage, the set of opinions expounded in a work (especially in didactic works) and capable of being paraphrased as a logical sequence of propositions.

To argue is to produce considerations designed to support a conclusion. An argument is either the process of doing this (in which sense an argument may be heated or protracted) or the product, i.e. the set of propositions adduced (the premises), the pattern of inference and the conclusion reached. An argument may be deductively valid, in which case the conclusion follows from the premises, or it may be persuasive in other ways. Logic is the study of valid and invalid forms of argument. See also induction, fallacies, proof.

This entry contains information applicable to United States law only.

A form of expression consisting of a coherent set of reasons presenting or supporting a point of view; a series of reasons given for or against a matter under discussion that is intended to convince or persuade the listener.

For example, an argument by counsel consists of a presentation of the facts or evidence and the inferences that may be drawn therefrom, which are aimed at persuading a judge or jury to render a verdict in favor of the attorney's client.

An attorney may begin to develop an argument in the opening statement, the initial discussion of the case in which the facts and the pertinent law are stated. In most cases, however, an attorney sets forth the main points of an argument in the closing argument, which is the attorney's final opportunity to comment on the case before a judge or jury retires to begin deliberation on a verdict.

The subject matter or central theme of a work of literature or a summary of the work, often used as a prologue to a drama, epic, or narrative.

IN BRIEF: Disagreement; discussion from opposite viewpoints.

Greg and Linda had another argument about how to drive the car.

Quotes:

"There are two things which cannot be attacked in front: ignorance and narrow-mindedness. They can only be shaken by the simple development of the contrary qualities. They will not bear discussion." - Lord Acton

"Arguments out of a pretty mouth are unanswerable." - Joseph Addison

"The long term versus the short term argument is one used by losers." - Larry Adler

"Wise men argue cases, fools decide them." - Anacharsis

"We must not contradict, but instruct him that contradicts us; for a madman is not cured by another running mad also." - Antisthenes

"Quarrels often arise in marriages when the bridal gifts are excessive." - Auson

See more famous quotes about Argument

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - argument, ræsonnement

Nederlands (Dutch)
ruzie, onenigheid, redetwist, discussie, argument, stelling

Français (French)
n. - dispute, débat, discussion, argument, controverse, raisonnement

Deutsch (German)
n. - Begründung, Streitgespräch, Auseinandersetzung, Erörterung, Argument, Beweisgrund

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - επιχείρημα, συζήτηση, διαπληκτισμός, λογομαχία, επίμαχο θέμα, περίληψη, σύνοψη

Italiano (Italian)
disputa, litigio, diverbio, obiezione, discussione, argomento

idioms:

• circular argument    ragionamento circolare

Português (Portuguese)
n. - argumento (m)

idioms:

• circular argument    argumento (m) circular

Русский (Russian)
спор, свидетельство, аргумент, довод, дискуссия, причина

idioms:

• circular argument    довод, нуждающийся в доказательстве

Español (Spanish)
n. - desacuerdo, disputa, controversia, objeción, razonamiento, discusión, sumario, alegato

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - argument, bevis, gräl

中文（简体） (Chinese (Simplified))
论据, 辩论, 争论

中文（繁體） (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 論據, 辯論, 爭論

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 논의 , 이유, 요지, 독립변수

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 議論, 論争, 口論, 論拠, 要旨, 論法

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) حجه, مناقشه, مناظره, خلاف, نزاع‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮ויכוח, טיעון, נימוק, טעם, תמצית של נושא, משתנה עצמאי הנותן ערך לפונקציה (מתמטיקה)‬

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