discourse

1 of 2

noun

dis·​course ˈdi-ˌskȯrs 

di-ˈskȯrs

1

: verbal interchange of ideas

especially : conversation

2

a

: formal and orderly and usually extended expression of thought on a subject

b

: connected speech or writing

c

: a linguistic unit (such as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence

3

: a mode of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experience that is rooted in language and its concrete contexts (such as history or institutions)

critical discourse

4

archaic : the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality

5

obsolete : social familiarity

discourse

2 of 2

verb

discoursed; discoursing

intransitive verb

1

: to express oneself especially in oral discourse

2

: talk, converse

transitive verb

archaic : to give forth : utter

discourser noun

Synonyms

Noun

• chat
• colloquy
• conversation
• converse
• dialogue
• dialog
• discussion
• exchange

Verb

• declaim
• descant
• expatiate
• harangue
• lecture
• orate
• speak
• talk

Examples of discourse in a Sentence

Noun

Hans Selye, a Czech physician and biochemist at the University of Montreal, took these ideas further, introducing the term "stress" (borrowed from metallurgy) to describe the way trauma caused overactivity of the adrenal gland, and with it a disruption of bodily equilibrium. In the most extreme case, Selye argued, stress could wear down the body's adaptation mechanisms, resulting in death. His narrative fit well into the cultural discourse of the cold-war era, where, Harrington writes, many saw themselves as "broken by modern life." —Jerome Groopman, New York Times Book Review, 27 Jan. 2008

Such is the exquisite refinement of American political discourse in the early 21st century. —Brad Friedman, Mother Jones, January & February 2006

Literature records itself, shows how its records might be broken, and how the assumptions of a given discourse or culture might thereby be challenged. Shakespeare is, again, the great example. —Richard Poirier, Raritan Reading, 1990

He likes to engage in lively discourse with his visitors.

She delivered an entertaining discourse on the current state of the film industry.

Verb

The most energetic ingredients in a Ken Burns documentary are the intervals of commentary, the talking heads of historians, sociologists, and critics coming at us in living color and discoursing volubly. —Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 22 Feb. 2002

Clarke had discoursed knowledgeably on the implications of temperature for apples; it was too cool here for … Winesaps, or Granny Smiths, none of which mature promptly enough to beat autumn's first freeze. —David Guterson, Harper's, October 1999

… Bill Clinton was up in the sky-box suites, giving interviews. So The Baltimore Sun's guy on the job was Carl Cannon and he took notes while Clinton discoursed on the importance of Ripken's streak, the value of hard work, the lessons communicated to our youth in a nation troubled by blah blah blah. —Richard Ben Cramer, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 1999

She could discourse for hours on almost any subject.

the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Recently the discourse around memecoins, and dragging the rest of the crypto landscape along as well, has turned decidedly political, as Democratic lawmakers have responded to several announcements by the Trump administration related to projects affiliated with the President’s family. —Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025

Politicians have a special obligation, by virtue of their outsize public platforms, to remove contempt from political discourse. —Timothy Shriver, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Verb

Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo River otters usually live up to 12.9 years in captivity, according to Oregon Zoo. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 2 May 2025

Hypothetical question sparks discourse Celebrity eaglets growing up fast as internet watches on: Meet Sunny and Gizmo Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English discours "capacity for reasoning," borrowed (with assimilation to cours course entry 1 and other derivatives) from Medieval Latin discursus, going back to Late Latin, "exchange of ideas," going back to Latin, "action of running in different directions," from discurrere "to run off in different directions, (of the mind or a speaker) branch out, range," from dis- dis- + currere "to run" — more at current entry 1

Note: For formation of the verbal noun cursus see etymology and note at course entry 1.

Verb

derivative of discourse entry 1, in part after Middle French discourir "to treat, deal with," descourir "to converse"

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb

1546, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing discourse

• discourse analysis
• universe of discourse

Kids Definition

discourse

1 of 2 noun

dis·​course ˈdis-ˌkō(ə)rs 

-ˌkȯ(ə)rs,

dis-ˈ

1

: conversation

2

: a long talk or composition about a subject

discourse

2 of 2 verb

dis·​course dis-ˈkō(ə)rs  -ˈkȯ(ə)rs 

ˈdis-ˌ

discoursed; discoursing

: to talk especially for a long time