26984 words

subject

18 definitions • 28 examples
1
the thing that is being discussed, considered, or studied:

Examples:

Our subject for discussion is homelessness.
on the subject of She has made a series of documentaries on the subject of family relationships.
take something as your subject The guest lecturer took as her subject (= decided to speak about) "punishment and imprisonment in modern society".
the subject of The number of planes flying over the town has been the subject of (= has caused) concern since last summer.
2
an area of knowledge that is studied in school, college, or university:

Examples:

mainly UK Her subject (= special area of study) is low-temperature physics.
3
to start talking about a different subject:

Examples:

I'd tried to explain the situation, but he just changed the subject.
4
a person, thing, or situation that is written about in a book, article, etc. or shown in a picture, etc.:

Examples:

The mill by the bridge was the subject of an unfinished painting by J. M. W. Turner.
5
the person or thing that performs the action of a verb, or is joined to a description by a verb:

Examples:

"Bob" is the subject of the sentence "Bob threw the ball."
6
a person who lives in or who has the right to live in a particular country, especially a country with a king or queen:

Examples:

He is a British subject.
7
to defeat people or a country and then control them against their wishes and limit their freedom:

Examples:

8
to have or experience a particular thing, especially something unpleasant:

Examples:

Cars are subject to a high domestic tax.
9
only able to happen if something else happens:

Examples:

We plan to go on Wednesday, subject to your approval.
10
under the political control of another country or state:

Examples:

subject peoples/states
11
something that is being discussed or considered:

Examples:

School officials broached the subject of extending the school year.
It seemed like a good idea to change the subject.
12
an area of knowledge that is studied in school or college:

Examples:

13
a person who lives or who has the right to live in a particular country, esp. a country with a king or queen:

Examples:

a British subject
14
the person or thing that performs the action of a verb, or which is joined to a description by a verb:

Examples:

"Bob" is the subject of the sentence, "Bob threw the ball."
15
likely to have or experience a particular thing, especially something unpleasant:

Examples:

be subject to a charge/fee/tariff You may be subject to additional bank charges for currency conversion.
The company could be subject to a hostile takeover.
Income from investment of the capital will be subject to tax.
16
depending on the stated thing happening:

Examples:

The $1.14 billion project is subject to approval by the board.
Outline planning permission has been granted, subject to a public inquiry, for a new 10,000-seat stadium on the land.
Tax laws are subject to change.
The notice period for clients to leave the agency are subject to contract.
17
under the political control or authority of something:

Examples:

The casinos are located on tribal lands not subject to state or local laws.
18
used about an insurance agreement when the amount of insurance on a property is less than the real value of the property, so the amount paid out by the company will be reduced:

Examples:

You must adequately insure yourself otherwise you may find yourself subject to average.

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