debut

1 of 2

noun

de·​but ˈdā-ˌbyü How to pronounce debut (audio)
dā-ˈbyü
variants or less commonly début
1
: a first appearance
made her singing debut
the writer's debut novel
2
: a formal entrance into society
in honor of their daughter's debut

debut

2 of 2

verb

debuted; debuting; debuts

intransitive verb

: to make a first appearance or a formal entrance into society : to make a debut

transitive verb

: to present to the public for the first time : introduce
debut a new product

Examples of debut in a Sentence

Noun my debut as a pianist He made his singing debut at a very young age. She is making her television debut. Verb The singer debuted 10 years ago, at the age of 15. The car debuted 30 years ago. The computer will soon be debuting in stores across the country. The network debuts a new sitcom tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In May, the K-pop star made her Met Gala debut. Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2025 Making its debut at IFA this year, the Roborock Curv 2 Pro can raise itself even higher than its predecessor to clear plushy carpets or lower itself down for a better clean on low-pile rugs. PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Three new Apple Watch models debuted during the iPhone 17 launch; the Series 11, Watch SE 3, and Watch Ultra 3. PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025 Since taking up her role at Vue Lumière, Gabereau has acquired films such as The Thing with Feathers starring Benedict Cumberbatch, as well as Nadia Fall’s Brides, on which Gardner served as Executive Producer), which both debuted at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for debut

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French début, from débuter to begin, from Middle French desbuter to play first, from des- de- + but starting point, goal — more at butt entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1830, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of debut was in 1751

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Debut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debut. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

debut

1 of 2 noun
1
: a first public appearance
my debut as a pianist
2
: a formal entrance into society

debut

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a debut
2
: to present to society for the first time
debut a new product

More from Merriam-Webster on debut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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