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debate
[dih-beyt]
noun
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.
Archaic., strife; contention.
verb (used without object)
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.
verb (used with object)
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.
debate
/ dɪˈbeɪt /
noun
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
verb
to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
to deliberate upon (something)
he debated with himself whether to go
Other Word Forms
- debater noun
- debatingly adverb
- interdebate verb
- nondebater noun
- nondebating adjective
- outdebate verb (used with object)
- overdebate verb
- postdebate adjective
- predebate noun
- predebater noun
- redebate noun
- undebated adjective
- undebating adjective
- well-debated adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of debate1
Example Sentences
At the president’s suggestion External link, the Securities and Exchange Commission is once again debating whether companies need to continue issuing quarterly financial reports and move to semiannual reporting.
This interpretation has sparked debate among statisticians, with some arguing that probability should represent objective frequency rather than subjective confidence.
"We fully recognise that China poses a series of threats to UK national security," he told MPs during a parliamentary debate.
Hamilton’s warnings about democracy and capitalism presaged a debate that continues to this day: Are the two in conflict, or do capitalism and democracy mutually reinforce one another?
Yet for all her advantages, Ms. Spanberger looked uncomfortable in the contest’s only debate, on Thursday at Norfolk State University.
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When To Use
A debate is a public discussion of a common topic or question between people on both sides of an issue, as in Voters were disappointed that there were no debates between the candidates.A debate is also a formal contest in which the debaters speak on opposite sides of a topic.Every debate is an argument but not every argument is a debate. While debates are competitive, both sides are attempting to persuade the other and the audience, not insult, hurt, or reprimand the other.To debate means to engage in such discussions, as in The senate spent all night debating these weighty issues.To debate also means to deliberate or weigh the pros and cons of a decision one has to make.Example: I debated going on the trip, but I decided it was best for my mental health to stay home.
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