Logistics follows the same pattern of other plural nouns—such as ballistics, linguistics, statistics, or physics—that represent fields of study and take either a singular or plural verb.
Logic, used strictly in the singular, is a science that deals with the formal principles of reason. If a visitor walks in the house with a wet umbrella, it is logical for one to assume that it is raining outside. Logistics, which involves such concerns as the delivery of personnel or supplies in an efficient manner, can often employ logic, such as by reasoning out the path least likely to interrupt the flow of a delivery:
As with many other areas of the economy, the digital revolution is having a profound effect on delivery logistics. The combination of mobile computing, analytics, and cloud services, all of which are fueled by the Internet of Things (IoT), is changing how delivery and fulfillment companies are conducting their operations. —Andrew Meola, Business Insider, 14 Oct. 2016
Both logic and logistics ultimately derive from the Greek logos, meaning "reason." But while logic derives directly from Greek, logistics took a longer route, first passing into French as logistique, meaning "art of calculating," and then into English from there.
If you just use a little logic, you'll see I'm right. There's no logic in your reasoning. There's some logic to what he says. There's a certain logic in what he says. The revolution proceeded according to its own logic. the logic of the situation See More
Recent Examples on the WebBy that logic, Ohio State gave up six explosive plays against Notre Dame, most notably a 54-yard pass to open the game. Stephen Means, cleveland, 10 Sep. 2022 The pick: See the AFC title odds decision and double that logic. Jason Hoffman, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2022 That logic also applies to other entities that didn't settle, including insurers who hold Boy Scouts policies and other charter organizations. Cara Kelly, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2022 But for some who signed the letter against Wen, that logic doesn’t hold up. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 But that logic doesn’t apply to the moment when Laszlo unsuccessfully attempts to turn into a bat. Tyler Coates, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Aug. 2022 Therefore, a full moon in Aquarius is a time when we might be confronted with our desire to figure everything out with logic. Emily Newhouse, Allure, 11 Aug. 2022 While some worried that the disappointments of the bill would make voters less enthusiastic this fall, others turned that logic on its head, arguing that its shortcomings show the need to elect more politicians who support climate action. Sarah Kaplan, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 Court records show that Meta complied with the logic. Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 9 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English logik, from Anglo-French, from Latin logica, from Greek logikē, from feminine of logikos of reason, from logos reason — more at legend
First Known Use
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
Time Traveler
The first known use of logic was in the 12th century