debate

[ dih-beyt ]

noun

1. a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints:

   a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.

   Synonyms: contention, disputation, controversy, argument

2. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
3. deliberation; consideration.
4. Archaic. strife; contention.

verb (used without object)

, de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

1. to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly:

   When we left, the men were still debating.

   Synonyms: contend, dispute

2. to participate in a formal debate.
3. to deliberate; consider:

   I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.

4. Obsolete. to fight; quarrel.

verb (used with object)

, de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

1. to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly:

   They debated the matter of free will.

2. to dispute or disagree about:

   The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.

3. to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.):

   Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.

4. to deliberate upon; consider:

   He debated his decision in the matter.

5. Archaic. to contend for or over.

debate

/ dɪˈbeɪt /

noun

1. a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
2. discussion or dispute
3. the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote

verb

1. to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
2. to deliberate upon (something)

   he debated with himself whether to go

Derived Forms

• deˈbater, noun

Other Words From

• de·bater noun
• de·bating·ly adverb
• inter·de·bate verb interdebated interdebating
• nonde·bater noun
• nonde·bating adjective
• outde·bate verb (used with object) outdebated outdebating
• over·de·bate verb overdebated overdebating
• postde·bate adjective
• prede·bate noun
• prede·bater noun
• rede·bate noun verb redebated redebating
• unde·bated adjective
• unde·bating adjective
• well-de·bated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of debate¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre, from de- de- + batre “to beat” (from Latin battere, earlier battuere ); noun derivative of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of debate¹

C13: from Old French debatre to discuss, argue, from Latin battuere

Example Sentences

When I last visited Ken in hospital, he had just tuned into a political debate on BBC Radio Five Live - he kept it on in the background as we chatted.

From BBC

In practice, the effects of raising the minimum wage on inflation and on unemployment are complex and hotly debated.

From Los Angeles Times

Announcing the review, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there were legitimate concerns that needed looking at but he also criticised the "toxic nature of the debate", saying it had left PAs feeling demoralised.

From BBC

In a town hall last year sponsored by News Nation, Kennedy complained that “experts” often end up on opposite sides of a debate, which he took as an indication that they shouldn’t be believed.

From Los Angeles Times

There is also a fierce international debate on how to keep young people safe online, with Australia recently proposing banning social media for under-16s.

From BBC

Related Words

• answer
• bicker
• consider
• contest
• deliberate
• oppose
• question
• wrangle

More About Debate

What does debate mean?

A debate is a public discussion of a common topic or question between people on both sides of an issue, as in Voters were disappointed that there were no debates between the candidates.

A debate is also a formal contest in which the debaters speak on opposite sides of a topic.

Every debate is an argument but not every argument is a debate. While debates are competitive, both sides are attempting to persuade the other and the audience, not insult, hurt, or reprimand the other.

To debate means to engage in such discussions, as in The senate spent all night debating these weighty issues.

To debate also means to deliberate or weigh the pros and cons of a decision one has to make.

Example: I debated going on the trip, but I decided it was best for my mental health to stay home.

Where does debate come from?

The first records of the term debate come from the 1200s. It ultimately comes from the Latin battre, meaning “to beat.”

Debates are popular forms of entertainment, especially debates between candidates for major political offices. The point of a debate is not supposed to be entertainment but knowledge. The point of debating something is to exchange different perspectives on a topic to determine which is correct or the best choice. Although debates should be about knowledge, logic, and passion, they are just as often about emotions.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to debate?

• debatable (adjective)
• debater (noun)
• debatingly (adverb)
• outdebate (verb)
• undebated (adjective)

What are some synonyms for debate?

• argument
• contest
• dispute
• deliberate
• oppose

What are some words that share a root or word element with debate? 

• battery
• debatable

What are some words that often get used in discussing debate?

• formal
• heated
• internal
• public

How is debate used in real life?

Debate is normally used to describe a specific conversation, either public or private.

Settle this debate NOW 👇🏽 and tell me why 🧐

— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt) September 9, 2020

I woke up at 2am….
I debated if twitter wants to hear from me at such hour..
Who might indeed be awake now and wanting to read my tweet???

To all of you awake people right now or soon to be awake, this tweet is dedicated to you.

— chadi nabhan MD, MBA, FACP (@chadinabhan) September 10, 2020

House Democrats hope to begin debate as soon as Wednesday on a roughly $2 trillion proposal to overhaul the country’s health care, education, climate, immigration and tax laws, aiming to adopt the sweeping measure by the end of the week https://t.co/sRggB4dX5V

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 16, 2021

 

Try using debate!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for debate?

A. argue
B. agree
C. counter
D. discuss

When To Use

What are other ways to say debate?

To debate is to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly. How does debate compare to discuss and argue? Find out on Thesaurus.com.