debate
noun
a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints.
had debated
-
past perfectof debate.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
For more than 20 years, scientists had debated earlier claims that this particle had been observed, but those findings were never confirmed.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 19, 2026
USC’s faculty members had debated whether to vote on a motion expressing no-confidence in Folt.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2024
Members of the NEU had debated whether - and when - to hold a formal strike ballot over pay for 2024-25 at their annual conference in Bournemouth.
From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2024
Branagh, who has played real-life figures including Franklin D. Roosevelt and the German SS officer Reinhard Heydrich, said that he and the writers had debated how closely he should try to mimic Johnson.
From New York Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
I had debated him briefly about that just before graduation, and told him I wanted to get a job.
From "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
