a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints: a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
2.
a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
3.
deliberation; consideration.
4.
Archaic. strife; contention.
–verb (used without object)
5.
to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly: When we left, the men were still debating.
6.
to participate in a formal debate.
7.
to deliberate; consider: I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
8.
Obsolete. to fight; quarrel.
–verb (used with object)
9.
to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly: They debated the matter of free will.
10.
to dispute or disagree about: The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
11.
to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.): Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
12.
to deliberate upon; consider: He debated his decision in the matter.
13.
Archaic. to contend for or over.
[Origin: 1250–1300; (v.) ME debaten < OF debatre, equiv. to de-de-+ batre to beat < L battere, earlier battuere; (n.) ME debat < OF, deriv. of debatre]
a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on" [syn: argument]
2.
the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)
verb
1.
argue with one another; "We debated the question of abortion"; "John debated Mary"
2.
think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your mind" [syn: consider]
Ar"gue\, v. t. 1. To debate or discuss; to treat by reasoning; as, the counsel argued the cause before a full court; the cause was well argued. 2. To prove or evince; too manifest or exhibit by inference, deduction, or reasoning. So many laws argue so many sins. --Milton. 3. To persuade by reasons; as, to argue a man into a different opinion. 4. To blame; to accuse; to charge with. [Obs.] Thoughts and expressions . . . which can be truly argued of obscenity, profaneness, or immorality. --Dryden. Syn: to reason; evince; discuss; debate; expostulate; remonstrate; controvert. Usage: To Argue, Dispute, Debate. These words, as here compared, suppose a contest between two parties in respect to some point at issue. To argue is to adduce arguments or reasons in support of one's cause or position. To dispute is to call in question or deny the statements or arguments of the opposing party. To debate is to strive for or against in a somewhat formal manner by arguments. Men of many words sometimes argue for the sake of talking; men of ready tongues frequently dispute for the sake of victory; men in public life often debate for the sake of opposing the ruling party, or from any other motive than the love of truth. --Crabb. Unskilled to argue, in dispute yet loud, Bold without caution, without honors proud. --Falconer. Betwixt the dearest friends to raise debate. --Dryden.
De*bat"a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. debatable. See Debate.] Liable to be debated; disputable; subject to controversy or contention; open to question or dispute; as, a debatable question. The Debatable Land or Ground, a tract of land between the Esk and the Sark, claimed by both England and Scotland; the Batable Ground.
De*bate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Debated; p. pr. & vb. n. Debating.] [OF. debatre, F. d['e]battre; L. de + batuere to beat. See Batter, v. t., and cf. Abate.]1. To engage in combat for; to strive for. Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine. --Prescott. 2. To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against. A wise council . . . that did debate this business. --Shak. Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself. --Prov. xxv. 9. Syn: To argue; discuss; dispute; controvert. See Argue, and Discuss.
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Audio Help [di-beyt] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -bat·ed, -bat·ing. 
