Definition of "debate"

debate

/dɪˈbeɪt/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural debates
1. An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.
2. An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.
  Quotations
  The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.
  2013 July 26, Leo Hickman, “How algorithms rule the world”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 7, page 26
3. (uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.
  Quotations
  Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: […] . The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom.
  2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist
4. (frequently in the French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin.
5. (obsolete) Strife, discord.
verb
third-person singular simple present debates, present participle debating, simple past and past participle debated
1. (transitive, intransitive, reciprocal) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
  Quotations
  a wise council […] that did debate this business
  1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene iv]
  Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Proverbs 25:9
  He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.
  1709 August 22 (Gregorian calendar), Isaac Bickerstaff [et al., pseudonyms; Richard Steele et al.], “Thursday, August 11, 1709”, in The Tatler, number 53; republished in [Richard Steele], editor, The Tatler, […], London stereotype edition, volume I, London: I. Walker and Co.; […], 1822
2. (obsolete, intransitive, reciprocal) To fight.
  Quotations
  Well knew they both his person, sith of late / With him in bloudie armes they rashly did debate.
  1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.viii
  […] wasteful Time debateth with Decay,To change your day of youth to sullied night
  1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 15
3. (obsolete, transitive) To engage in combat for; to strive for.
  Quotations
  Volunteers […] thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardour in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.
  1838, William H[ickling] Prescott, History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), Boston, Mass.: American Stationers’ Company; John B. Russell
4. (transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

Definition of "debate"

debate

noun

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verb

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