DictionaryAI

debate

di-BAYT/dɪˈbeɪt/

Pluraldebates

Verbdebates, debating, debated

7 meanings of debate

Practice

  1. 1
    differing viewsnouncountable or uncountable
    talk in which people give different opinions about something and argue about which is right

    Like two friends going back and forth, each saying why they think they are right.

    There is always debate about the best way to teach reading.

    The new rule sparked debate among the workers.

    UsageSay much debate or a lot of debate. Under debate means people have not decided yet.

    Similardispute, discussion, argument

  2. 2
    formal sessionnouncountable or uncountable
    A formal talk where people argue different views, usually ending with a vote or decision.

    Like a contest where two sides take turns giving reasons, and a winner is picked at the end.

    The students held a debate about whether to ban phones in school.

    After a long debate, the town council voted to build the park.

    UsagePeople have a debate about something, and one side may win it.

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive or intransitivereciprocal
    To argue about something with other people, usually in public.

    Like taking sides in a friendly contest of words.

    The two leaders will debate on live television tonight.

    Students often debate big topics in class.

    UsageSay debate something or debate someone: they debated the law.

    Similarargue, dispute, contend

    Note
  4. 4
    think oververbtransitive
    To think carefully about something in your head before making a choice.

    Like talking to yourself in your head to decide what to do.

    I need one more day to debate which job offer to take.

    He debated whether to buy the red bike or the blue one.

    UsageOften said as debate whether to do something: I debated whether to go.

    Similarconsider, weigh, ponder, deliberate, wonder

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
    Angry fighting or bad feeling between people.
    Note
  2. 6
    verbobsoletetransitive or intransitivereciprocal
    an old use meaning to fight, or to fight to get something
    Well knew they both his person, sith of late / With him in bloudie armes they rashly did debate.
    1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, debate means fight, so they fought him in bloody armor.
    Note
  3. 7
    noun
    A kind of old poem that takes the form of an argument between two sides.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of debate apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 3–4, 6

From Old French debatre, meaning "to fight or argue," which came from Latin words for "apart" and "to beat."

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Debate derives from Old French debatre, meaning to fight or argue. en.wiktionary.org
  • Debatre ultimately derives from Latin elements meaning apart and to beat. en.wiktionary.org
Meanings 1–2, 5

From Old French debat, a noun formed from the verb debatre (see the verb's origin).

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts