discourse
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1 formal communication (n.) C1 Advanced Academicserious speech or writing about a specific subject.
the use of spoken or written language in a social or academic context.
ExampleThe professor studied the political discourse of the twentieth century.
ExampleThe analysis focuses on how public discourse regarding climate change has shifted from scientific skepticism to urgent policy debate over the last decade.
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2 a formal talk or essay (n.) C1 Advanced Formala long and serious speech or piece of writing on a particular topic.
a formal and lengthy treatment of a subject, either in speech or in writing.
ExampleHe published a famous discourse on the nature of democracy.
ExampleHer latest discourse on economic theory challenges the traditional assumptions held by her peers in the department.
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3 social way of thinking (n.) C2 Proficiency Academic Technicalthe way that a particular group of people or a society talks about a subject.
an institutionalised way of thinking or a social boundary that defines what can be said about a specific topic.
ExampleMedical discourse often uses language that is difficult for patients to understand.
ExampleFoucault explored how dominant medical discourse in the nineteenth century shaped the public's perception of mental health and deviance.
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4 online debate (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Slang Computinglong and often angry arguments on the internet about social or cultural topics.
lengthy, often heated debate over controversial subject matter within digital fandom or activist communities.
ExampleI had to delete the app because the discourse was becoming too toxic.
ExampleThe latest discourse on social media regarding the film's casting choices has overshadowed the actual quality of the production.
UsageOften used with the definite article as 'the discourse'.
From Middle English discours, borrowed from Middle French discours (“conversation, speech”), from Latin discursus (“the act of running about”), from Latin discurrō (“run about”), from dis- (“apart”) + currō (“run”). Spelling modified by influence of Middle French cours (“course”). Doublet of discursus.