discussion
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
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.
London-born singer M.I.A. began releasing music in 2003, and became a sensation thanks to her unconventional sound and discussion of political themes influenced by her upbringing as a child of Sri Lankan parents.
From BBC • May 5, 2026
“Every conversation started off with a five-minute discussion about his kids,” said Jim Cragg, who, as the board chair of the Palisades Long-Term Recovery Group, worked closely with Vein after the fire.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
Even if the discussion doesn't formally target China, the country's subsidising of certain sectors has created trade tensions for years.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
When the recently deceased mayor—the one whose funeral was mentioned several times during the trial—came up in discussion, he was described as beloved for his work on the city’s flowers.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
He and his traders did this quickly, and apparently without a great deal of discussion, in half a dozen or so massive trades, with Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank and a few others.
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.
