discourse

noun

dis·​course ˈdi-ˌskȯrs 

di-ˈskȯrs

1

: verbal interchange of ideas

political discourse

… public discourse, the lifeblood of a healthy civic society.

—Ariel Rosenblum

especially : conversation

That word doesn't have much use in ordinary discourse.

… visitors … with whom he engaged in lively discourse.

—Anne Stevens

2

a

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

gave discourse on the state of the film industry

broadly : expression of ideas

There are thoughtful critiques of the show and the discourse around it to be made.

—Keith Phipps

b

linguistics : connected speech or writing longer 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)

academic discourse

religious discourse

the critical discourse around his art

4

archaic : the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality

5

obsolete : social familiarity

Synonyms of discourse

• conversation
• discussion
• converse

Examples of discourse in a Sentence

In the most extreme case, [physician and biochemist Hans] 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.

Recent Examples on the Web

In this digital age, where social media headlines and opinions often bleed into each other, the soft skills and students’ capacity for civil discourse go hand in hand, Katz said. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Surely, the federation wanted to avoid this kind of news right before a home World Cup, even if this kind of discourse for a manager with stature comes with the territory. —Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 29 May 2026

An unassuming industrial area on the outskirts of Newark, New Jersey, is a hub of discourse this week as one day after another, protesters clash with federal agents outside an ICE detention facility while lawmakers call for inspections and oversight. —David Williams, CNN Money, 29 May 2026

Late to this discourse but this piece doesn’t change my perception of Strangers at all. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

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