discussion
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of discussion
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin discussiōn-, stem of discussiō “inquiry, examination,” Latin: “a shaking,” from discuss(us) “shaken” ( see discuss) + -iō -ion
Explanation
If you're in an ongoing discussion with someone over, say, the best way to train a dog, that means you talk to each other over a long period of time, about all the aspects of dog training. Discussion comes from the Latin for "examination by taking things apart," and when you're having a discussion with someone on a complicated topic, it's like you're taking it apart and trying to understand it. Usually in a discussion, people exchange ideas. If you say, "I adore bananas," and your friend says, "me too," that's hardly a discussion. But if your friend says, "bananas are disgusting," then you can get into a discussion about it.
Vocabulary lists containing discussion
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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The SAT: Language of the Test, List 5
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The Language of Standardized Tests, List 4
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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.
See Examples For:
I had also recently waxed poetic about compound butter during a live discussion on summer entertaining.
From Salon ● Aug. 1, 2026
Who should pay for these improvements has been the subject of prolonged discussion between LA28 and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center operators, the people familiar said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026
These are important avenues of discussion and research.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
Fifa sources have told BBC Sport there has been no discussion over Infantino, or anyone else, becoming chief executive of FFE.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
“I would like to vote for a change in discussion topic.”
From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish
The discussions between the two countries bordering the strait have grown more significant in recent days, with both Oman and Iran noting there had been some progress.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
ING economist Chris Turner told clients last week that “firm discussions could potentially see chances of a 25 basis-point hike at the next meeting September 18.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
There had been no internal discussions about his position going into the World Sevens tournament in May - and the club were satisfied with results.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
In late June, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said "no progress" had been made in months of bilateral discussions.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
“It was such a big number,” said a person involved in these discussions, “that a lot of people said it couldn’t possibly be right. Morgan Stanley couldn’t possibly owe us one point two billion dollars.”
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
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.
