debate

1 of 3

noun (1)

de·​bate di-ˈbāt 

dē-

: a contention by words or arguments

Our polite chat about politics became a heated debate.

The case sparked a raging public debate on property rights.

: such as

a

: a regulated discussion of a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 1b) between two matched sides

the last presidential debate before the election

the debate's moderator

b

law and government : the formal discussion of a motion (see motion entry 1 sense 4a) before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure

debate

2 of 3

verb

debated; debating

transitive verb

1

a

: to argue about

the subject was hotly debated

b

: to engage (an opponent) in debate

a governor debating her challenger

2

: to turn over in one's mind : to think about (something, such as different options) in order to decide

still debating what to do

intransitive verb

1

: to participate in a debate

the six primary candidates who debated last night

2

a

: to contend in words

b

: to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments

3

obsolete : fight, contend

debatement

di-ˈbāt-mənt 

dē-

noun

debater noun

debater

3 of 3

noun (2)

de·​bat·​er di-ˈbā-tər 

dē-

plural -s

: one that debates

Synonyms of debate

Noun (1)

• consideration
• deliberation
• study

Verb

• ponder
• contemplate
• question
• study
• entertain
• consider
• weigh
• eye
• explore

Choose the Right Synonym for debate

discuss, argue, debate mean to discourse about in order to reach conclusions or to convince.

discuss implies a sifting of possibilities especially by presenting considerations pro and con.

discussed the need for a new highway

argue implies the offering of reasons or evidence in support of convictions already held.

argued that the project would be too costly

debate suggests formal or public argument between opposing parties

debated the merits of the amendment

; it may also apply to deliberation with oneself.

I'm debating whether I should go

Examples of debate in a Sentence

Noun (1)

The candidates participated in several debates before the election was held.

The meaning of the text has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars for many years.

Verb

Scholars have been debating the meaning of the text for years.

Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the lower classes is still hotly debated among economists.

The energy bill is currently being debated in Congress.

The President debated his challenger in front of a live audience on Tuesday.

The students debated for an hour.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The standardized testing debate Faculty members leading the charge for SAT reinstatement want the change to be enacted in the 2027 admissions cycle. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026

How motivated the Cowboys’ ownership group is to get the Super Bowl back to Arlington is up for debate, but the World Cup proved that any logistical or structural concerns that stemmed from a couple of hiccups back in 2011 no longer exist. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Verb

In recent months, members of Congress have been debating more limited bills that would only ban trading by lawmakers, and not the president. — Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

For two years, investors have been debating whether AI stocks are too expensive. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere

Noun (2)

Middle English, from debaten + -er

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Phrases Containing debate

• a matter of debate
• open to debate
• under debate

Rhymes for debate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

debate

1 of 2 noun

de·​bate di-ˈbāt 

: a verbal argument: as

a

: the discussion of a motion before a legislature

b

: a regulated discussion of a problem between two matched sides

debate

2 of 2 verb

debated; debating

1

: to discuss or examine a question often publicly by presenting and considering arguments on both sides

2

: to take part in a debate

3

: to present or consider the reasons for and against : consider

debater noun