subject

Definitions

1. noun

   The main topic of a talk, book, artwork or discussion.

   Examples

   • Choose a subject you really care about for your essay.
   • War has long been a favorite subject for painters.
   ≈matter≈topic
2. noun

   An area of study at school.

   Examples

   • Her favorite subject is physics.
   • Math is the hardest subject for me.
3. noun

   In grammar, the word or words that tell who or what does the action.

   Examples

   • In the sentence The cat ate the mouse, the cat is the subject.
   • The subject usually comes before the verb in English.
   ≠object≠predicate
4. noun

   The person or thing that does the action in a sentence.

   Examples

   • The subject of the sentence performs the action.
   • In this sentence, she is the subject.
5. noun

   A person who belongs to a country ruled by a king or queen.

   Examples

   • I am a British subject.
   • Every subject of the king had to pay the tax.
6. noun

   A person who is ruled by a king, queen or government.

   Examples

   • The king's subjects followed his religion out of loyalty.
   • The emperor ruled millions of subjects.
7. adjective

   Likely to be affected by something.

   Examples

   • This is a country subject to extreme heat.
   • Menu prices are subject to change.
8. adjective

   Depending on something else happening first.

   Examples

   • The offer is subject to change without notice.
   • Approval is subject to a background check.
9. adjective

   In old-fashioned use, lying below or in a lower place.

   Examples

   • The castle stood high above the subject valley.
   • The farms in the subject plain looked tiny.
10. adjective

    Under the rule of a king, queen or state.

    Examples

    • The colony stayed subject to the distant crown for a century.
    • The people were subject to the laws of the empire.