debate
Americannoun
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a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints.
a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
- Synonyms:
- contention, disputation, controversy, argument
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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)
verb (used with object)
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to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly.
They debated the matter of free will.
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to dispute or disagree about.
The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
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to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.).
Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
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to deliberate upon; consider.
He debated his decision in the matter.
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Archaic. to contend for or over.
noun
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a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
-
discussion or dispute
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the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote
verb
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to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
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to deliberate upon (something)
he debated with himself whether to go
Usage
What does debate mean? 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.
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
Etymology
Origin of debate
First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre, from de- de- + batre “to beat” (from Latin battere, earlier battuere ); noun derivative of the verb
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.
His swift accumulation of authority, coupled with an increasingly public profile, has made the prospect of a hereditary transfer of power a central feature of political debate.
From BBC
The actor casts himself as a moral corrective on screen and in politics, drawing an emotional, almost devotional loyalty rather than debate.
From BBC
Responsibilities of the top job include chairing debates between peers, performing ceremonial roles at events such as the State Opening of Parliament, and having the final say in summoning ministers to answer urgent questions.
From BBC
Introverted, romantic and intellectual, she read everything from Walter Scott and Jane Austen to abolitionist tracts and records of Senate debates.
In Foran’s view, “even if 10% doesn’t happen, it opens the debate about whether some amount of pricing cuts are on the table.”
From MarketWatch
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.
