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debate definition

de·bate (dē bāt′, di-)

intransitive verb debated -·bat′ed, debating -·bat′·ing

  1. to discuss opposing reasons; argue
  2. to take part in a formal discussion or a contest in which opposing sides of a question are argued
  3. to deliberate (with oneself or in one's own mind)
  4. Obsolete to fight or quarrel

Etymology: ME debaten < OFr debatre, to fight, contend, debate: see de- & batter

transitive verb

  1. to dispute about, esp. in a meeting or legislature
  2. to argue (a question) or argue with (a person) formally
  3. to consider reasons for and against; deliberate on

noun

  1. discussion or consideration of opposing reasons; argument about or deliberation on a question
  2. a formal contest of skill in reasoned argument, with two teams taking opposite sides of a specified question
  3. the art or study of formal debate

Etymology: ME & OFr debat < the v.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

debate Synonyms

debate

n.

contest, match, argumentation, disputation, polemics, forensics, dialectic, deliberation; see also discussion 1, dispute.


debate

v.

argue, discuss, confute, refute, controvert, oppose, question, contend, contest, reason, wrangle, answer, ponder, weigh, differ, dispute, engage in oral discussion, argue the pros and cons of, hold a confab*, jaw*, chew the fat*, cross verbal swords*, moot*, bandy*; see also argue 1, discuss.

Antonyms agree*, concur*, concede. See syn. study at discuss.discuss.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

debate Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • stimulate: In order to whet your appetite, some issues are set out below which, it is hoped, will stimulate debate.

Adjective modifier

  • lively: There then followed some lively debate about the differences.

Preposition: on

  • forum: Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Modifies a noun

  • rage: But debate rages as to what qualities the winning play should have.

Noun used with modifier

  • adjournment: Indeed, I raised the issue during an Adjournment debate in Westminster Hall last month.
debate usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

debate quotes

Nasce da questo una disputa: s'egli e'   meglio essere amato che temuto, o e'   converso. Rispondesi che si vorebbe essere l'uno e l'altro; ma perche¤   egli e'   difficile accozzarli insieme, e'   molto pi  u' sicuro essere temuto che amato, quando si abbia a mancare dell'uno de'due. Thisleadstoa debate: isit better to be loved thanfeared, or the reverse? The answer is that it is desirable to be both, but because it is difficult to join them together, it is much safer fora prince to be feared than loved, if he isto fail in one of the two.

-Machiavelli, Niccolo'   di Bernardo dei

debate quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"debate." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/debate>

APA Style

debate. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/debate

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