# article

/ˈɑɹtəkəɫ/ (US) · /ˈɑːtɪkəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/article
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. piece of writing

noun · CEFR A2

a piece of writing in a newspaper, magazine, or website.

For teachers: a non-fictional composition on a specific topic, forming an independent part of a publication such as a newspaper or journal.

- I read an interesting article about space travel in the Sunday paper.
- The lead article in this month's medical journal challenges previous assumptions about the efficacy of the new treatment protocol.

### 2. an object

noun · CEFR B1

a particular thing or item.

For teachers: an individual object or item, typically one of a class or a member of a collection.

- Several articles of clothing were left behind in the gym locker room.
- The museum's collection includes various articles of daily use from the Roman era, ranging from bronze needles to ceramic oil lamps.

### 3. grammar word

noun · CEFR A1

a word like 'a', 'an', or 'the' that comes before a noun.

For teachers: a member of a small class of determiners used with a noun to limit or specify its reference.

- In the sentence 'I saw a cat', the word 'a' is an article.
- Learners whose native languages lack a definite article often struggle with the subtle distinctions between 'the' and 'a' in English academic prose.

### 4. legal clause

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a separate part or section of a legal document.

For teachers: a distinct clause or section in a legal contract, constitution, or treaty.

- According to Article 5 of the contract, you must give one month's notice.
- The delegates spent three days debating the precise wording of the third article of the proposed international trade agreement.

### 5. the real thing

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the real or genuine version of something, not a copy.

For teachers: the genuine or authentic version of a person or thing; usually used in the phrase 'the genuine article'.

- That's not a cheap copy; it's the genuine article.
- After years of watching amateur performers, seeing a professional on stage made me realise I was finally watching the genuine article.

### 6. to bind by contract

verb · CEFR C2 · Formal · British English

to bind someone by a legal agreement to work for a master or professional to learn a job.

For teachers: to bind a person by a contract of apprenticeship, particularly in the legal or accountancy professions.

- He was articled to a firm of solicitors in London to complete his training.
- In the nineteenth century, young men were frequently articled to established architects for a period of seven years to master the technicalities of the trade.

## Examples

- I read an interesting article about space travel today.
- The journalist spent three months researching the local water supply before publishing her investigative article.
- Although the magazine is known for its lighthearted fashion tips, the editor decided to include a lengthy, well-researched article on the environmental impact of the textile industry.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.