discourse

DIS-kawrs/ˈdɪs.kɔːɹs/UKDIS-kaws/ˈdɪs.kɔːs/

As a verbdis-KAWRS

Pluraldiscourses (some meanings)

13 meanings of discourse

1
noununcountable
The use of words to share ideas, by either speaking or writing.
Like building a bridge of words between two minds.
Human discourse depends on shared language and clear meaning.
Written discourse lets us record ideas for future readers.
Similarcommunication, language, speech, expression
2
nouncountable
A long, formal talk or piece of writing about one subject.
Like a long talk that covers one topic from start to finish.
The professor gave a long discourse on ancient history.
She wrote a discourse about the causes of the war.
Similartreatise, lecture, dissertation, essay, address
3
nouncountable
A set way of thinking that controls what people can say about a topic.
Like unwritten rules that decide what you're allowed to say.
The discourse around health shapes what doctors feel able to say.
Media discourse can limit how people talk about poverty.
Note
4
nouncountable
A spoken exchange between two or more people.
Like a back-and-forth chat between friends.
They had a long discourse about their travel plans.
A polite discourse followed between the two old friends.
Similarconversation, discussion, dialogue, talk, exchange
5
noununcountable
Long, often angry online arguments about touchy topics, common in fan and activist groups.
Like an online argument that never seems to end.
The new movie sparked endless discourse on social media.
Fans got tired of the constant discourse about the show's ending.
Similardebate, drama, controversy, argument, discussion
Note
6
verbintransitive
To speak or write about something in a long, formal way.
Like giving a long speech about a topic you love.
He discoursed for an hour on the future of farming.
She loves to discourse about books with her students.
Similarexpound, lecture, expatiate, speak, elaborate
7
verbintransitive
To talk with other people and have a conversation.
Like chatting with a friend over coffee.
They discoursed quietly while waiting for the train.
Friends often discourse late into the night.
Similarconverse, talk, chat, confer
8
nouncountable
A piece of clear thinking or reasoning expressed in words.
Like a chain of clear thoughts that leads to a conclusion.
Her careful discourse convinced the whole committee.
He offered a reasoned discourse on why the plan would fail.
Similarreasoning, argument, argumentation, logic
Note
9
verbintransitive
To use the mind to think carefully and reach conclusions.
Like a mind working step by step toward an answer.
A good philosopher learns to discourse from facts to firm conclusions.
Her mind discoursed swiftly, weighing each option in turn.
Similarreason, think, deliberate, cogitate

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin, where it first meant 'the act of running about', from a word meaning 'to run about' (from 'apart' plus 'run').