Debate

Quick meaning: Debate is a verb meaning (ambitransitive, reciprocal) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

Meaning

(ambitransitive, reciprocal) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide
2. An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.
3. (uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.
4. An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.
5. (frequently in the French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin.
6. (obsolete, intransitive, reciprocal) To fight.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To engage in combat for; to strive for.

Example Sentences

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself.

a wise council […] that did debate this business

"Debate me, coward!" snarled the completely normal intellectual.

[…] wasteful Time debateth with Decay, To change your day of youth to sullied night

Word Forms

• debates
• debating
• debated

Synonyms for debate

Depending on context, synonyms include contend, canvass, deliberate, consider, moot, argument.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include argue, disputation, contend, moot, argument, consider.

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