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article

n. · v.
US //ˈɑɹtəkəɫ// UK //ˈɑːtɪkəl// ar·ti·cle
  1. 1 piece of writing (n.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

    I read an interesting article about space travel in the Sunday paper.

    Example

    The lead article in this month's medical journal challenges previous assumptions about the efficacy of the new treatment protocol.
  2. 2 an object (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a particular thing or item.

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

    Example

    Several articles of clothing were left behind in the gym locker room.

    Example

    The museum's collection includes various articles of daily use from the Roman era, ranging from bronze needles to ceramic oil lamps.
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  1. 3 grammar word (n.)
    A1 Beginner Grammar

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

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

    Example

    In the sentence 'I saw a cat', the word 'a' is an article.

    Example

    Learners whose native languages lack a definite article often struggle with the subtle distinctions between 'the' and 'a' in English academic prose.
    • determiner
    Pitfall
    He is a honest man.
    He is an honest man.

    Use the article 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound, even if the first letter is a consonant like 'h'.

  2. 4 legal clause (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    a separate part or section of a legal document.

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

    Example

    According to Article 5 of the contract, you must give one month's notice.

    Example

    The delegates spent three days debating the precise wording of the third article of the proposed international trade agreement.
  3. 5 the real thing (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

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

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

    Example

    That's not a cheap copy; it's the genuine article.

    Example

    After years of watching amateur performers, seeing a professional on stage made me realise I was finally watching the genuine article.
  4. 6 to bind by contract (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal British English Law

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

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

    Example

    He was articled to a firm of solicitors in London to complete his training.

    Example

    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.
Origin

From Middle English article, from Old French article, from Latin articulus (“a joint, limb, member, part, division, the article in grammar, a point of time”), from Latin artus, from Proto-Indo-European h₂értus (“that which is fit together; juncture, ordering”), from the root h₂er- (“to join, fit (together)”). Doublet of articulus.

Idioms2 entries

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