debate

1 of 2

noun

de·​bate di-ˈbāt 

dē-

: a contention by words or arguments

Our polite chat about politics became a heated debate.

The case sparked a raging public debate on property rights.

: such as

a

: a regulated discussion of a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 1b) between two matched sides

the last presidential debate before the election

the debate's moderator

b

law and government : the formal discussion of a motion (see motion entry 1 sense 3a) before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure

debate

2 of 2

verb

debated; debating

transitive verb

1

a

: to argue about

the subject was hotly debated

b

: to engage (an opponent) in debate

a governor debating her challenger

2

: to turn over in one's mind : to think about (something, such as different options) in order to decide

still debating what to do

intransitive verb

1

: to participate in a debate

the six primary candidates who debated last night

2

a

: to contend in words

b

: to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments

3

obsolete : fight, contend

debatement

di-ˈbāt-mənt 

dē-

noun

debater noun

Synonyms

Noun

• account
• advisement
• consideration
• deliberation
• reflection
• study
• thought

Verb

• chew over
• cogitate
• consider
• contemplate
• deliberate
• entertain
• eye
• kick around
• meditate
• mull (over)
• perpend
• ponder
• pore (over)
• question
• revolve
• ruminate
• study
• think (about or over)
• turn
• weigh
• wrestle (with)

Choose the Right Synonym for debate

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of debate in a Sentence

Noun

The candidates participated in several debates before the election was held.

The meaning of the text has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars for many years.

Verb

Scholars have been debating the meaning of the text for years.

Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the lower classes is still hotly debated among economists.

The energy bill is currently being debated in Congress.

The President debated his challenger in front of a live audience on Tuesday.

The students debated for an hour.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Meanwhile, the same debates accompanying discussions of slavery reparations in greater society permeate the order as well: Some feel a moral urgency while others criticize the effort as unfairly burdening the entities of today or suggesting the order’s ongoing work with the poor should suffice. —Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2025

Late & Live will once again be the only place to watch the celebrity evictees first live interview alongside an array of unmissable exclusive features including access to the camera runs, special guest commentary and fiery debate. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2025

Verb

Officials are also debating possible new homebuilding regulations, including rezoning for lower housing density in especially fire-prone areas, and expediting a set of forthcoming standards for removing debris, flammable vegetation and wooden fences from the perimeters of homes. —Monica Hunter-Hart, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2025

Listen to this article Candidates for Evanston mayor and City Council debated what the next four years, and the next 20 years, should look like in the city at a forum hosted at the former site of Second Church of Christ on Feb. 9. —Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Phrases Containing debate

• a matter of debate
• open to debate
• under debate

Kids Definition

debate

1 of 2 noun

de·​bate di-ˈbāt 

: a verbal argument: as

a

: the discussion of a motion before a legislature

b

: a regulated discussion of a problem between two matched sides

debate

2 of 2 verb

debated; debating

1

: to discuss or examine a question often publicly by presenting and considering arguments on both sides

2

: to take part in a debate

3

: to present or consider the reasons for and against : consider

debater noun