WHAT IS A DEBATE?

debate

de·bate | \ di-ˈbāt , dē-\

Definition of debate

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a contention by words or argumentsOur 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 sidesthe last presidential debate before the electionthe debate‘s moderator

blaw, government : the formal discussion of a motion (see MOTION entry 1 sense 3a) before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure

debate

verb

debated; debating

Definition of debate (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a: to argue aboutthe subject was hotly debated

b: to engage (an opponent) in debatea governor debating her challenger

2: to turn over in one’s mind : to think about (something, such as different options) in order to decidestill debating what to do

intransitive verb

1: to participate in a debatethe six primary candidates who debated last night

2a: to contend in words

b: to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments

3obsolete : FIGHT, CONTEND

debate

[ dih-beyt ]

noun

a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints:a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.

a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.

verb (used without object), de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly:When we left, the men were still debating.

to participate in a formal debate.

verb (used with object), de·bat·ed, de·bat·ing.

to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly:They debated the matter of free will.

to dispute or disagree about:The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.