debate
To debate is defined as to argue about the opposing sides of a subject or to discuss the merits of different arguments and points of view.
(verb)An example of debate is when you have a discussion about the death penalty, which you are for and your conversation partner is against.
The definition of a debate is a formal discussion of the opposing sides of a specific subject or a formal contest of arguments.
(noun)- An example of debate is what Congress does when considering passing new legislation.
- An example of debate is when two people have a discussion about the pros and cons of the death penalty and each person takes a different side of the argument.
See debate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
intransitive verb debated, debating
- to discuss opposing reasons; argue
- to take part in a formal discussion or a contest in which opposing sides of a question are argued
- to deliberate (with oneself or in one's own mind)
- Obsolete to fight or quarrel
Origin: ME debaten < OFr debatre, to fight, contend, debate: see de- & batter
transitive verb
- to dispute about, esp. in a meeting or legislature
- to argue (a question) or argue with (a person) formally
- to consider reasons for and against; deliberate on
noun
- discussion or consideration of opposing reasons; argument about or deliberation on a question
- a formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question
- the art or study of formal debate
Origin: ME & OFr debat < the v.
Related Forms:
- debater noun
See debate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing, de·bates verb, intransitive
- To consider something; deliberate.
- To engage in argument by discussing opposing points.
- To engage in a formal discussion or argument. See Synonyms at discuss.
- Obsolete To fight or quarrel.
- To deliberate on; consider.
- To dispute or argue about.
- To discuss or argue (a question, for example) formally.
- Obsolete To fight or argue for or over.
- A discussion involving opposing points; an argument.
- Deliberation; consideration: passed the motion with little debate.
- A formal contest of argumentation in which two opposing teams defend and attack a given proposition.
- Obsolete Conflict; strife.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English debaten
Origin: , from Old French debatre
Origin: : de-, de-
Origin: + battre, to beat; see batter1
.Related Forms:
- de·bateˈment noun
- de·batˈer noun
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