discourse

[ noun dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs; verb dis-kawrs, -kohrs ]

noun

1. communication of thought by words; talk; conversation:

   earnest and intelligent discourse.

   Synonyms: parley, chat, dialogue, colloquy, discussion

2. a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
3. Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.

verb (used without object)

, dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
2. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

verb (used with object)

, dis·coursed, dis·cours·ing.

1. to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

discourse

noun

1. verbal communication; talk; conversation
2. a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation
3. a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence
4. archaic.
   the ability to reason or the reasoning process

verb

1. intr; often foll by on or upon to speak or write (about) formally and extensively
2. intr to hold a discussion
3. archaic.
   tr to give forth (music)

Derived Forms

• disˈcourser, noun

Other Words From

• dis·courser noun
• pre·discourse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discours, from Medieval Latin discursus (spelling by influence of Middle English cours “course”), Late Latin: “conversation,” Latin: “a run back and forth,” noun use of past participle of discurrere “to run about,” from dis- dis- ¹ + currere “to run”

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

C14: from Medieval Latin discursus argument, from Latin: a running to and fro, from discurrere to run different ways, from dis- ¹+ currere to run

Example Sentences

In a message to readers, it said the US presidential election "underlined" its concerns that its owner, Elon Musk, had been able to use X to "shape political discourse."

From BBC

There has also been a lot more public discourse on all the ways men depend on women, for everything from housework to companionship.

From Salon

But it’s a simple story for a conman to tell, and the media’s willingness to normalize it radically shifted political discourse in Trump’s favor.

From Salon

Some “Jeopardy!” viewers took issue with the line’s appearance, branding it as sexist in online discourse.

From Los Angeles Times

But civil discourse has been ground down to a useless nub at this point, and a presidential candidate can share crude jokes about his opponent with barely a blip in the news cycle.

From Salon

Related Words

• communication
• conversation
• discussion
• essay
• lecture
• monologue
• rhetoric
• speech
• treatise