A dispute over words — an argument conducted purely over terminology rather than substance, in which the parties disagree about definitions rather than facts.

From the Greek logos (word) and mache (battle) — a battle of words, particularly one regarded as futile or missing the real point.

Used disparagingly to describe philosophical disputes that appear deep but dissolve when the terms are properly defined.

Also the name of a nineteenth-century American card game in which players competed to form words from letter cards — one of the earliest commercial word games in the United States.

Bertrand Russell argued in Philosophy and Logical Syntax that the majority of philosophical problems were logomachies — including the debate over free will — and could be dissolved by precise definition.