debate
To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
Verb 2 meanings
To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.
“"Debate me, coward!" snarled the completely normal intellectual.”
To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide
“He was debating where he'd spend his holiday.”
Noun 4 meanings
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.”
An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.
“The debate over the age of the universe is thousands of years old.”
Discussion of opposing views.
“There has been considerable debate concerning exactly how to format these articles.”
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.
Etymology
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”).
Similar and opposite words
DEBATE at a glance
DEBATE has 6 letters and scores 9 points in Scrabble (D 2 + E 1 + B 3 + A 1 + T 1 + E 1) and 10 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #2,233 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with debate
All rhymesOne letter away
- REBATE8
- DEBASE9
- DERATE7
- DELATE7
- SEBATE8
Keep going
Related lists
Looking for a different word?
Type the letters you have and the Finder shows every word that fits.