debut

1 of 2

noun

de·​but ˈdā-ˌbyü How to pronounce debut (audio)
dā-ˈbyü
variants or less commonly début
Synonyms of debutnext
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
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Noun
Keys will also perform twice throughout the night to celebrate the milestone of her 2001 debut album, Songs in A Minor, including a performance with the Top 3. Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Apr. 2026 Jonathan, who was making his Broadway debut, was the bird seller and part of the musical ensemble. Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Grammy winner, 31, who debuted late last month as Zidler in the Tony-winning adaptation of the 2001 musical film, will now be taking her final bow on Friday — less than a week after her post Saturday accusing 36-year-old Thompson of infidelity. Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 2026 Internationally, Hulu programming is streamed on Disney+, which will debut the series in the EMEA region from mid-July. Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 28 Apr. 2026 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 29 Apr. 2026.

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

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