debate

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /dɪˈbeɪt/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Singular debate

Plural debates

A debate in government

1. (countable & uncountable) A debate is an exchange of ideas looking at different sides of an issue.
   • Synonyms: argument, discussion, controversy and exhange

   We will explore this idea through an analysis of the public debate on marriage and divorce.

   The government's spending programme is the subject of much heated debate.

Verb

Plain form debate

Third-person singular debates

Past tense debated

Past participle debated

Present participle debating

1. (transitive & intransitive) If you debate something, you consider its positive and negative points, often by talking with other people in a formal situation such as government.
   • Synonyms: argue and discuss

   The AHA had in fact been debating the issue of the future of the hospital for some years.

   Few subjects are more hotly debated in curriculum committees.

Related words

• debatable