debate
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a formal meeting where people discuss a subject and express different opinions, often before a vote.
n.a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
Simple“The students held a lively debate about whether uniforms should be mandatory.”
In context“The parliamentary debate regarding the new environmental regulations lasted for three days before a final vote was called.”
UsageOften used with the prepositions 'on', 'about', or 'over'.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a general situation where people have different ideas or arguments about something.
n.the state of having opposing views or a lack of consensus on a specific issue within a community or society.
Simple“There is a lot of debate about the best way to learn a language.”
In context“The scientific community is currently engaged in a heated debate over the long-term effects of the new treatment.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to discuss a subject formally by offering different ideas and reasons.
v.to argue about a subject, especially in a formal manner or within a public context.
Simple“Politicians will debate the new tax laws on television tonight.”
In context“The council members debated the proposal for hours, yet they failed to reach a compromise by the end of the session.”
UsageCan be used transitively with the topic as the object, or intransitively.
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to think carefully about different choices before making a decision.
v.to deliberate or consider various options or arguments within one's own mind.
Simple“I am debating whether to go to the party or stay home and rest.”
In context“She spent the entire weekend debating the merits of the job offer before finally deciding to accept the position.”
UsageCommonly followed by 'whether' or a gerund.
Synonyms
Usage debate on both sides · considerable debate · current debate
“Debate about the LCA hinges in part on the tree-dwelling environment from which humans emerged—whether it involved living among high horizontal branches, being able to reach them from the ground or, more likely, both.”
“Debate and voting could continue as late as 10pm.”
From Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre (“to fight, contend, debate, also literally to beat down”), from Romanic desbattere, from Latin dis- (“apart, in different directions”) + battuō (“to beat, to fence”).
From Middle English debat, borrowed from Old French debat, deverbal of debatre, see Etymology 1 for more.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.