discourse

[dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs, 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)

discoursed, discoursing 

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.

2. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

verb (used with object)

discoursed, discoursing 

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)

Other Word Forms

• discourser noun
• prediscourse 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

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the comments “unacceptable” and “dangerous,” while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said they erode trust and civility in public discourse.

Read more on Salon

There’s an unanswerable question behind all the discourse about the rapidly decaying condition of American democracy: Did we ever have it in the first place?

Read more on Salon

In a time when contentious terminology pervades public discourse, the astute chronicling and monitoring of language is essential.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

Read more on BBC

Herndon—and surely Lincoln as well—would be astonished that the future president’s first major speech has become such an organic reference point in modern political discourse.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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