Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for debate on Thesaurus.com a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports. a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers. deliberation; consideration. Archaic strife; contention. Show More
verb (used without object), de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing. to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly: When we left, the men were still debating. to participate in a formal debate. to deliberate; consider: I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not. Obsolete to fight; quarrel. Show More
verb (used with object), de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing. to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly: They debated the matter of free will. to dispute or disagree about: The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island. to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.): Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton. to deliberate upon; consider: He debated his decision in the matter. Archaic to contend for or over. Show More
Origin of debate 1250–1300; (v.)
Middle English debaten <
Old French debatre, equivalent to
de- de- +
batre to beat <
Latin battere, earlier
battuere; (noun)
Middle English debat <
Old French, derivative of
debatre Related forms de·bat·er , noun de·bat·ing·ly , adverb in·ter·de·bate , verb, in·ter·de·bat·ed, in·ter·de·bat·ing. non·de·bat·er , noun non·de·bat·ing , adjective out·de·bate , verb (used with object), out·de·bat·ed, out·de·bat·ing. o·ver·de·bate , verb, o·ver·de·bat·ed, o·ver·de·bat·ing. post·de·bate , adjective pre·de·bate , noun pre·de·bat·er , noun re·de·bate , noun, verb, re·de·bat·ed, re·de·bat·ing. un·de·bat·ed , adjective un·de·bat·ing , adjective well-de·bat·ed , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for debate deliberation ,
contest ,
argument ,
controversy ,
match ,
dispute ,
consider ,
bicker ,
deliberate ,
question ,
wrangle ,
oppose ,
answer ,
argumentation ,
dialectic ,
contention ,
agitation ,
polemic ,
tiff ,
hassle Examples from the Web for debate Contemporary Examples of debate The debate over who really pulled off the Sony hack, then, could continue indefinitely.
And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.
They already know the answer, but they know by feigning ignorance they can create all this debate about it.
They are already infinitely more qualified to have that debate than we are.
During a debate , the candidates were asked about the islands.
Historical Examples of debate The supremacy of the nation and its laws should be no longer a subject of debate .
But let it—if it must be Lovelace or Solmes, the choice cannot admit of debate .
The debate began April 12th, and continued for eight nights.
He was quite aware of his own ascendency in counsel and his supremacy in debate .
I see that they are already forming to continue this debate with us.
British Dictionary definitions for debate a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward discussion or dispute the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote Show More
to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly to deliberate upon (something) he debated with himself whether to go Show More
Derived Forms debater , noun Word Origin for debate C13: from Old French debatre to discuss, argue, from Latin battuere
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for debate v. late 14c., "to quarrel, dispute," also "discuss, deliberate upon the pros and cons of," from Old French debatre (13c., Modern French débattre ), originally "to fight," from de- "down, completely" (see de- ) + batre "to beat" (see battery ). Related: Debated ; debating .
Show More
n. early 14c., "a quarrel, dispute, disagreement," from Old French debat ; see debate (v.). Sense of "a formal dispute, a debating contest" is perhaps from early 15c.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
