Definition of "debate" in English

verb

1. (ambitransitive, reciprocal) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

   • "Debate me, coward!" snarled the completely normal intellectual.

2. (obsolete, intransitive, reciprocal) To fight.

3. (obsolete, transitive) To engage in combat for; to strive for.

4. (transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

   • He was debating where he'd spend his holiday.

noun

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.

   • After a four-hour debate, the committee voted to table the motion.

2. An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.

   • The debate over the age of the universe is thousands of years old.
   • There was a bit of a debate over who should pay for the damaged fence.

3. (uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

   • There has been considerable debate concerning exactly how to format these articles.

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.