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)

debated, debating 

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)

debated, debating 

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

Other Word Forms

• debater noun
• debatingly adverb
• interdebate verb
• nondebater noun
• nondebating adjective
• outdebate verb (used with object)
• overdebate verb
• postdebate adjective
• predebate noun
• predebater noun
• redebate noun
• undebated adjective
• undebating adjective
• well-debated 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

How Democrats navigate these questions may determine whether the party sets the terms of debate on Israel, or cedes the fight to its opponents.

From Salon

Vivienne Stern, the chief executive of Universities UK, told the BBC there would be "a debate over the course of the next few months" as to which universities would be able to charge which rates.

From BBC

Others debated why the show had lost its spark: too many inane games, over-edited drama, and a focus on contestant personalities instead of actual cooking.

From Salon

But Sir Keir said he felt the debate had "moved on in the last 20 years".

From BBC

This time around, the parameters of the debate are a little different than they were in March, when Democrats and Republicans finally agreed to extend the budget until Sept. 30.

From Salon

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.