subject

The word “subject” means the main topic being discussed, studied, or shown in a work of art. In plain terms, depending on context: a topic, a grammatical role, a test participant, or someone under a ruler's authority.

“Subject” is pronounced SUHB-jihkt (/ˈsʌb.d͡ʒɛkt/ in IPA).

Here is “subject” used in a sentence: “Climate change was the subject of the panel discussion.”

Words with a similar meaning to “subject” include underbring.

Depending on how it is used, “subject” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.

The word “subject” comes from Latin. From Latin subiectus, "lying under, placed beneath" — from sub ("under") plus iaciō ("to throw"), so literally "thrown under.".

“Subject” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Subject” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the main topic being discussed, studied, or shown in a work of art.

The words overlap, but subject is usually broader and topic narrower. A subject is a whole field — history, or a novel's central theme. A topic is a specific point within it, such as the causes of one war. You study a subject and discuss particular topics inside it.

In grammar these are opposites. The subject does the action in a sentence — the dog barked. The object receives it — she kicked the ball. Note that subject has another meaning too: the main topic of a book, talk, or artwork, which is a different sense of the word.

In a painting, the subject is what it mainly depicts — a bowl of fruit in a still life, a person in a portrait, or a storm in a landscape. It is the central focus the artist has chosen to show, around which the rest of the work is arranged.