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; see 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

Sadh McGrath and Grace Moore are back among the replacements, while 20-year-old full-back Niamh Gallagher is set to make her debut off the bench.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

It’s more than halfway through construction of Root Head Spa, slated to debut within the next two months.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

Kabeya's absence gives Bristol teenager Demelza Short, who made her Test debut in the second row against Scotland, a start at blindside flanker.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Even then, the CEO saw that ongoing technological progress was paving the way for Horizon’s public debut.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

She’d made her national team debut the year before at the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she won the all-around title.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

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