debate
Americannoun
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debates
plural
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a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints.
a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
- Synonyms:
- contention, disputation, controversy, argument
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a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
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Archaic. strife; contention.
verb (used without object)
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debates,
present (3rd person singular)
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debated,
past participle, past
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debating
present participle
verb (used with object)
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debates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
debated,
past participle, past
-
debating
present participle
-
to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly.
They debated the matter of free will.
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to dispute or disagree about.
The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
-
to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.).
Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
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to deliberate upon; consider.
He debated his decision in the matter.
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Archaic. to contend for or over.
noun
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a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
-
discussion or dispute
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the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote
verb
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to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
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to deliberate upon (something)
he debated with himself whether to go
Usage
What does debate mean? A debate is a public discussion of a common topic or question between people on both sides of an issue, as in Voters were disappointed that there were no debates between the candidates. A debate is also a formal contest in which the debaters speak on opposite sides of a topic. Every debate is an argument but not every argument is a debate. While debates are competitive, both sides are attempting to persuade the other and the audience, not insult, hurt, or reprimand the other. To debate means to engage in such discussions, as in The senate spent all night debating these weighty issues. To debate also means to deliberate or weigh the pros and cons of a decision one has to make. Example: I debated going on the trip, but I decided it was best for my mental health to stay home.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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debaternoun
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nondebaternoun
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predebatenoun
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predebaternoun
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redebatenoun
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interdebateverb
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overdebateverb
-
outdebateverb (used with object)
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nondebatingadjective
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postdebateadjective
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undebatedadjective
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undebatingadjective
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well-debatedadjective
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debatinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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debatesimple
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debatessimple
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have debatedperfect
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has debatedperfect
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am debatingprogressive
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are debatingprogressive
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is debatingprogressive
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have been debatingperfect progressive
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has been debatingperfect progressive
Past
-
debatedsimple
-
had debatedperfect
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was debatingprogressive
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were debatingprogressive
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had been debatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of debate
First recorded in 1250–1300; (for the verb) Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre, from de- de- + batre “to beat” (from Latin battere, earlier battuere ); noun derivative of the verb
Explanation
Another word for formally discuss is debate. Cheese lovers often debate the merits of gorgonzola, triple creme brie, and gouda. Of course, they need to accompany their arguments with a taste test! A debate is a kind of respectful, well reasoned argument over opposing points of view, although tensions can run high and voices can be raised. In fact, the verb evolved from the Old French debatre, meaning “to fight.” Most formal debates, during a political campaign for example, keep the battles to a minimum. But if you find yourself in the midst of a debate between a Red Sox fan and a Yankees fan, things could get ugly!
Vocabulary lists containing debate
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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The Articles of Confederation (1777)
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Speech and Debate
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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:
Less than half an hour into the first debate between the two candidates for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat, the moderator put his foot in his mouth.
From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026
What Texans see in Mr. Talarico is a good man who is open to civil debate and wants to bring people together.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
He denied he had shifted his stance since the Makerfield by-election when he promised not to "re-run" the Brexit debate.
From BBC ● Oct. 28, 2026
There would be "nothing transformative", she said, and certainly no major shift on Palestinian statehood or the peace process, issues that have largely disappeared from Israeli political debate since October 7.
From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026
My heart rate finally elevated slightly above somber territory as we engaged in a heated debate over which came first, the chicken or the egg.
From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas
The debates hit hard in Massachusetts, which has long prided itself on a top-tier public education.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
Following the first of two debates between Lula and Bolsonaro, Janones suffered a cardiac arrhythmia and went into intensive care, but recovered shortly after.
From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026
Any definitive outcome of these debates could have implications for regulators, how companies approach the future development of the technology and how ordinary users of AI understand their interactions with agents and chatbots.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026
He can’t, for example, watch his wife when she debates.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
Obviously we have one of those debates over whether the glass is half empty or half full; the increases that seem to have mollified many economists do not seem so impressive to me.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, council members debated the Axon pilot program after hearing from scores of people who spoke out in opposition to more cameras.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Investors have debated the advantages of optical technology over traditional copper.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 28, 2026
One Thanksgiving, my mom and I debated attempting a traditional holiday meal at a rental on Hilton Head Island.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026
Additionally, executives have debated whether to change the release cadence of certain shows to improve engagement, according to people familiar with the matter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 19, 2026
The most debated question about Jomon subsistence concerns the possible contribution of agriculture.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
"One of Bevan's strengths was his debating skills and his ability to deconstruct arguments."
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
These greats built the mecca they needed and deserved, debating its contours, wanting it to last.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
Now, Jenner is seemingly once again debating selling the home, with property records revealing that it has once again been swiped off the market, Realtor.com can exclusively reveal.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
But, they’re now debating how to handle 2026.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
At length he spoke again, softly, as if he was debating with himself.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
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