debut

American  

[dey-byoo, dih-, dey-byoo, deb-yoo] / deɪˈbyu, dɪ-, ˈdeɪ byu, ˈdɛb yu /

Or début

noun

1. a first public appearance on a stage, on television, etc.

2. the first appearance of something, as a new product.

3. (of a young woman) a formal introduction and entrance into society, as at an annual ball.

4. the beginning of a profession, career, etc.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make a debut, as in society or in a performing art.

   She decided to debut with several other violinists.

2. to appear for the first time, as on the market.

   A new product will debut next month.

verb (used with object)

1. to perform (something) for the first time before an audience.

   He didn't know when the orchestra would debut his new symphony.

2. to place on the market for the first time; introduce.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting a first appearance.

   a debut performance; a debut record album.

debut British  

/ ˈdeɪbjuː, ˈdɛbjuː /

noun

1. 1. the first public appearance of an actor, musician, etc, or the first public presentation of a show

   2. ( as modifier )

      debut album

2. the presentation of a debutante

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verb

1. to make a debut

Etymology

Origin of debut

1745–55; < French début, derivative of débuter to make the first stroke in a game, make one's first appearance, equivalent to dé- de- + -buter, verbal derivative of but goal; butt ²

Explanation

A debut is a first appearance, a launch, or public introduction. So before you make your big debut at the office, check and make sure you don't have spinach in your teeth. Perhaps you’ve heard of debutantes making their official debut into society, or actresses and actors making their debut on stage. A fun fact: debut and premiere are often thought to be interchangeable, but they’re not. A debut, as you now know, is a first public appearance. But a premiere, while also a “first,” isn't necessarily live. When a movie opens or an interview is broadcast for the first time, they're called premieres.

Example Sentences

A childhood dream of making video games is becoming a reality this week for Imagine Dragons' singer Dan Reynolds, as his company's debut title "Last Flag" is released Tuesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

One of my best friends at the time, Matt Jay, he made his debut at 16 I think.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

At their debut, they almost singlehandedly inaugurated a shift towards hyper-intimate headphone pop - it’s hard to imagine Billie Eilish sounding quite the same without them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

Loughborough Lightning's 19-year-old Haineala Lutui, who has mainly been deployed in the back row for her club, came off the bench to make her debut as Talling's replacement.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

After all, with Mickey Mantle coming, no one really cared about my Shakespeare debut.

From "The Wednesday Wars" by Gary D. Schmidt

Related Words

• appearance
• beginning
• inauguration
• introduction
• launching
• opener
• presentation