English Reference
verb · adjective

debated

v. · adj.
US /dəˈbeɪtɪd/ UK /dɪbˈeɪtɪd/ de·bat·ed

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to have talked about something seriously, especially when people disagree.

    v.the past tense of 'debate', referring to the act of engaging in a formal or structured argument about a specific topic.

    Simple

    The committee debated the new rules for three hours before voting.

    In context

    The parliament debated the proposed environmental legislation at length, with representatives from both sides presenting detailed scientific evidence to support their claims.

    Usage

    Often used with 'whether' or 'the merits of'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    adj.describes a topic that people are still talking about because they do not agree on the answer.

    adj.referring to a subject or proposition that is currently under discussion and has not reached a consensus.

    Simple

    The cause of the accident is still a hotly debated topic in the news.

    In context

    The long-term impact of artificial intelligence on the labour market remains a much-debated issue among economists and social scientists.

    Usage

    Usually appears before the noun it modifies.

He sees a risk that is low enough to remain debated, but severe enough to demand action.

BBC News· 14 Jul 2026

The exact figures are debated, but the direction is clear: partly because of renewables, the system is becoming larger, more complex and more expensive.

BBC News· 15 Apr 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated