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

Mr Webb, who has a nine-month-old son, raised the issue in his first adjournment debate as an MP.

From BBC

The debate highlights the peril for the government, even when it grants all its MPs, including ministers, a free vote on an issue.

From BBC

Cabinet Secretary Simon Case, the UK's most senior civil servant, told ministers last month they should "exercise discretion and should not take part in the public debate".

From BBC

The forecasts published on Friday will also form part of the public debate, and private negotiations between universities and ministers considering whether tuition fees should rise further in the future.

From BBC

Between 1979 and 1997, Tanton launched or helped create more than eight organizations aimed at curtailing immigration or preserving English-speaking culture, building an unparalleled modern force for shaping the debate about who should and should not be allowed into the United States.

From Salon

Related Words

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