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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.
Synonyms: , , ,
- a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
- Archaic. strife; contention.
verb (used without object)
- to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly:
When we left, the men were still debating.
Synonyms: ,
- to participate in a formal debate.
- to deliberate; consider:
I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
- Obsolete. to fight; quarrel.
verb (used with object)
- 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.
- to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.):
Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
- to deliberate upon; consider:
He debated his decision in the matter.
- Archaic. to contend for or over.
debate
/ ɪˈɪ /
noun
- a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
- discussion or dispute
- the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote
verb
- to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
- to deliberate upon (something)
he debated with himself whether to go
Derived Forms
- ˈٱ, noun
Other 51Թ Forms
- ·İ noun
- ·iԲ· adverb
- t··ٱ verb interdebated interdebating
- non·İ noun
- ԴDzd·iԲ adjective
- dzܳd·ٱ verb (used with object) outdebated outdebating
- v··ٱ verb overdebated overdebating
- Dzd·ٱ adjective
- d·ٱ noun
- pre·İ noun
- d·ٱ noun verb redebated redebating
- ܲd·Ļ adjective
- ܲd·iԲ adjective
- ɱ-·Ļ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of debate1
Example Sentences
Why it should do so now, in a manner similar to the witch delusions that periodically swept medieval Europe or the Dutch tulip mania, has been much debated.
The Angels and the city of Anaheim have discussed, debated and twice agreed upon plans to enhance the stadium and secure the team’s future there.
Political resistance has meant that the legislation is so far only being implemented in the northern regions of the Basque Country, Navarre and Catalonia, and its success is open to debate.
If it gets 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
For the better part of two decades, the Angels and the city of Anaheim have discussed, debated and twice agreed upon plans to enhance the stadium and secure the team’s future there.
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Related 51Թs
More About Debate
What does debate mean?
A debate is a public discussion of a common topic or question between people on both sides of an issue, as in Voters were disappointed that there were no debates between the candidates.
A debate is also a formal contest in which the debaters speak on opposite sides of a topic.
Every debate is an argument but not every argument is a debate. While debates are competitive, both sides are attempting to persuade the other and the audience, not insult, hurt, or reprimand the other.
To debate means to engage in such discussions, as in The senate spent all night debating these weighty issues.
To debate also means to deliberate or weigh the pros and cons of a decision one has to make.
Example: I debated going on the trip, but I decided it was best for my mental health to stay home.
Where does debate come from?
The first records of the term debate come from the 1200s. It ultimately comes from the Latin battre, meaning “to beat.”
Debates are popular forms of entertainment, especially debates between candidates for major political offices. The point of a debate is not supposed to be entertainment but knowledge. The point of debating something is to exchange different perspectives on a topic to determine which is correct or the best choice. Although debates should be about knowledge, logic, and passion, they are just as often about emotions.
Did you know … ?
What are some other forms related to debate?
- debatable (adjective)
- debater (noun)
- debatingly (adverb)
- outdebate (verb)
- undebated (adjective)
What are some synonyms for debate?
What are some words that share a root or word element with debate?
What are some words that often get used in discussing debate?
How is debate used in real life?
Debate is normally used to describe a specific conversation, either public or private.
Settle this debate NOW 👇🏽 and tell me why 🧐
— Patrick van Aanholt (@pvanaanholt)
I woke up at 2am….
I debated if twitter wants to hear from me at such hour..
Who might indeed be awake now and wanting to read my tweet???To all of you awake people right now or soon to be awake, this tweet is dedicated to you.
— chadi nabhan MD, MBA, FACP (@chadinabhan)
House Democrats hope to begin debate as soon as Wednesday on a roughly $2 trillion proposal to overhaul the country’s health care, education, climate, immigration and tax laws, aiming to adopt the sweeping measure by the end of the week
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost)
Try using debate!
Which of the following is NOT a synonym for debate?
A. argue
B. agree
C. counter
D. discuss
When To Use
What are other ways to saydebate?
To debate is to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly. How does debate compare to discuss and argue? Find out on .
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