discourse

American  

[dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs] / ˈdɪs kɔrs, -koʊrs, dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs, dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs /

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.

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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 British  

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

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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

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”

Explanation

If you use the word discourse, you are describing a formal and intense discussion or debate. The noun discourse comes from the Latin discursus to mean "an argument." But luckily, that kind of argument does not mean people fighting or coming to blows. The argument in discourse refers to an exchange of ideas — sometimes heated — that often follows a kind of order and give-and-take between the participants. It's the kind of argument and discussion that teachers love, so discourse away!

Example Sentences

Also: Discourse is gone, and people are just entrenched — they’re looking for something and not exactly finding it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026

Appeared in the February 21, 2026, print edition as 'These Schools Want to Foster Civil Discourse On Campus.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 21, 2026

"We are also supporting new initiatives such as the Digital Discourse Initiative, which provides teachers with practical strategies and curriculum tools to support staff to counter the effects of online hate and disinformation."

From BBC • May 2, 2025

"Discourse and skepticism are all part of the scientific process."

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2025

The Discourse is a strange work because it is both autobiography and philosophy; Descartes teaches us how to think by telling us the steps he went through in learning how to think.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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