discourse
Americannoun
-
communication of thought by words; talk; conversation.
earnest and intelligent discourse.
- Synonyms:
- parley, chat, dialogue, colloquy, discussion
-
a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
-
Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.
verb (used without object)
-
to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
-
to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.
verb (used with object)
noun
-
verbal communication; talk; conversation
-
a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation
-
a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence
-
archaic the ability to reason or the reasoning process
verb
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(intr; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) formally and extensively
-
(intr) to hold a discussion
-
archaic (tr) to give forth (music)
Other Word Forms
- discourser noun
- prediscourse noun
Etymology
Origin of discourse
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”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The gaffe underscores how lifelike AI visuals -- even those containing glaring errors -- are seeping into everyday discourse, sowing confusion during breaking news events and influencing political debate at the highest levels.
From Barron's
Much of the public discourse surrounding disasters such as last year’s fires focuses on blame, but Andrews considers that framing incomplete.
From Los Angeles Times
"When official diplomatic channels adopt trolling tactics, they implicitly validate the information ecosystem's descent into provocation-based discourse," he told AFP.
From Barron's
How does the conditional defense, set within a framework of their utility, contribute to the discourse that you write about?
From Salon
"Icebreakers are really the only kind of naval vessel to signal that you are an Arctic state, with Arctic capabilities. And I think this is what much of the US discourse is about."
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
