discourse

American  

[dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs] / ˈdɪs kɔrs, -koʊrs, dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs, dɪsˈkɔrs, -ˈkoʊrs /

noun

1. communication of thought by words; talk; conversation.

   earnest and intelligent discourse.

   Synonyms:

   parley, chat, dialogue, colloquy, discussion

2. a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.

3. Linguistics. any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.

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verb (used without object)

discoursed, discoursing

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.

2. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

verb (used with object)

discoursed, discoursing

1. to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

discourse British  

noun

1. verbal communication; talk; conversation

2. a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation

3. a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence

4. archaic the ability to reason or the reasoning process

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verb

1. (intr; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) formally and extensively

2. (intr) to hold a discussion

3. archaic (tr) to give forth (music)

Other Word Forms

• discourser noun
• prediscourse noun

Etymology

Origin of discourse

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discours, from Medieval Latin discursus (spelling by influence of Middle English cours “course”), Late Latin: “conversation,” Latin: “a run back and forth,” noun use of past participle of discurrere “to run about,” from dis- dis- ¹ + currere “to run”

Explanation

If you use the word discourse, you are describing a formal and intense discussion or debate. The noun discourse comes from the Latin discursus to mean "an argument." But luckily, that kind of argument does not mean people fighting or coming to blows. The argument in discourse refers to an exchange of ideas — sometimes heated — that often follows a kind of order and give-and-take between the participants. It's the kind of argument and discussion that teachers love, so discourse away!

Example Sentences

Victory pushed back Monday and said the public discourse around its proposal is inaccurate, citing statements from anonymous sources in recent media reports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

He also vowed that his government will bring an end to "hatred, division and fear" in public discourse.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

At its worst, discourse over the fate of Sequoiadendron giganteum is an academic fistfight.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

Yet the issue soon dropped from national discourse, overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic and landmark racial justice protests.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Failure to acknowledge the relevant differences, as well as their implications, would be a disservice to racial justice discourse.

From "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander

Related Words

• communication
• conversation
• discussion
• essay
• lecture
• monologue
• rhetoric
• speech
• treatise