Debate Definition
dĭ-bāt
debated, debates, debating
verb
debated, debates, debating
To consider reasons for and against; deliberate on.
Webster's New World
To engage in argument by discussing opposing points.
American Heritage
To take part in a formal discussion or a contest in which opposing sides of a question are argued.
Webster's New World
To deliberate (with oneself or in one's own mind)
Webster's New World
To dispute about, esp. in a meeting or legislature.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
debates
Discussion or consideration of opposing reasons; argument about or deliberation on a question.
Webster's New World
Deliberation; consideration.
Passed the motion with little debate.
American Heritage
A formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question.
Webster's New World
The art or study of formal debate.
Webster's New World
Conflict; strife.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Other Word Forms of Debate
Noun
Singular:
debate
Plural:
debatesOrigin of Debate
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From Old French debatre (“to fight, contend, debate, also literally to beat down”), from Romanic desbattere, from Latin dis- (“apart, in different directions”) + battuere (“to beat, to fence”).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English debaten from Old French debatre de- de- battre to beat batter1
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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