debate
Use Debate in a sentence
noun
1.
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.
00:10
Debate
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to bark; yelp. |
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.) Middle English debaten < Old French debatre, equivalent to de- de- + batre to beat < Latin battere, earlier battuere; (noun) Middle English debat < Old French, derivative of debatre
1250–1300; (v.) Middle English debaten < Old French debatre, equivalent to de- de- + batre to beat < Latin battere, earlier battuere; (noun) Middle English debat < Old French, derivative of debatre
Related forms
de·bat·er, noun
de·bat·ing·ly, adverb
in·ter·de·bate, verb, in·ter·de·bat·ed, in·ter·de·bat·ing.
non·de·bat·er, noun
non·de·bat·ing, adjective
out·de·bate, verb (used with object), out·de·bat·ed, out·de·bat·ing.
o·ver·de·bate, verb, o·ver·de·bat·ed, o·ver·de·bat·ing.
post·de·bate, adjective
pre·de·bate, noun
pre·de·bat·er, noun
re·de·bate, noun, verb, re·de·bat·ed, re·de·bat·ing.
un·de·bat·ed, adjective
un·de·bat·ing, adjective
well-de·bat·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To debate
Collins
World English Dictionary
debate (dɪˈbeɪt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward |
| 2. | discussion or dispute |
| 3. | the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote |
| —vb | |
| 4. | to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly |
| 5. | to deliberate upon (something): he debated with himself whether to go |
| [C13: from Old French debatre to discuss, argue, from Latin battuere] | |
| de'bater | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
debate
c.1300, from Fr. debattre (13c.), orig. "to fight," from de- "down, completely" + batre "to beat."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia
debate
formal, oral confrontation between two individuals, teams, or groups who present arguments to support opposing sides of a question, generally according to a set form or procedure
Learn more about debate with a free trial on Britannica.com.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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Example sentences
The budget debate is turning into a deficit discussion.
In our view, however, this does not bar the consideration in public debate of thoughtful arguments whatever their source.
The discussion produced no compromises-it was a debate, not a negotiation-but it was clarifying.
Other parts clearly need more consideration and debate.
Nearby Words
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