article

AHR-ti-kuhl/ˈɑɹtɪkəl/UKAH-ti-kuhl/ˈɑːtɪkl̩/

13 meanings of article

1
piece of writingnouncountable
A piece of writing about a real topic, such as one in a newspaper, magazine, or website.
I read an interesting article about space exploration this morning.
She wrote an article for the school magazine about recycling.
UsageSay an article about something, in a newspaper or magazine.
Similarpiece, report, story, essay, paper
2
legal sectionnouncountable
A numbered section of a legal document or set of rules.
The first article of the contract explains how payments work.
Each article in the bylaws covers a different rule.
UsageWith a number it usually has a capital: Article 5 of the treaty.
Similarclause, section, provision
3
grammar wordnouncountable
A small word like 'a', 'an', or 'the' that goes before a noun.
She forgot the article and wrote 'I saw dog' instead of 'I saw a dog'.
The words 'a', 'an', and 'the' are all articles.
UsageThe is the definite article. A and an are indefinite articles.
Note
4
itemnouncountable
A single object or item, especially one belonging to a set.
Each article of clothing was neatly folded in the drawer.
She packed every article she owned into one suitcase.
UsageOften an article of clothing, meaning one piece of clothing.
Similaritem, object, thing, piece

Less common meanings

5
partnouncountable
One separate part of something that is made of several parts.
A lobster's feeler bends where one article meets the next.
The insect's leg is made of several articles joined end to end.
Note
6
real thingnounabbreviationellipsis
Short for genuine article. Means the real, true thing and not a copy.
UsageUse it with the: the article.
Note
7
set outverbtransitive
To set something out clearly, point by point.
Similaritemize, specify, enumerate, list, detail
Note
8
bind apprenticeverbtransitive
To sign someone up as an apprentice through a formal written agreement.
Her uncle offered to article her to an accountant in the city.
After school, he was articled to a land surveyor for five years.
UsageUsually be articled to someone: he was articled to a lawyer.
Similarapprentice, indenture, bind
Note
9
personnounderogatorydatedcountable
A person, talked about in an unkind or disrespectful way.
That sly article tricked everyone in the room.
"You dateless article," stormed his father, leaving Bennett to realise in his laconic way that he was, and probably always would be, a disappointment to Dad.
2001, Lynne Walker, “Classical: Musical portrait of the artist as a young man”Here, article means a person, said in an insulting way.
UsageUsually with a describing word: a sly article.
Similarcustomer, character, specimen, type
Note
10
topicnoundatedcountable
The subject or topic that something is about.
This last article perhaps will hardly be believed.
1722, H[enry] F[oe] [pseudonym; Daniel Defoe], A Journal of the Plague YearHere, article means the matter or point being talked about.
a very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding
1711, [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “TUESDAY, July 17, 1711”
Similarsubject, matter, topic, question, issue
Note
11
accuseverbobsolete
To formally accuse someone by listing the charges against them.
Note
12
young womannounobsoletecountable
A young woman, in old rough slang.
Note
13
nounobsolete
An exact moment in time.
each article of time
1634, William Habington, CastaraHere, article means a single moment or point in time.
This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.
1683, John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 13 July 1683]”Here, article means the exact moment, the very time of the trial.
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin articulus, meaning a small joint or part. It came into English through Old French.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

English article derives from Latin articulus through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
Latin articulus means a small joint. en.wiktionary.org
Latin articulus also means a part. en.wiktionary.org
The word entered English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org