: a contention by words or arguments
Our polite chat about politics became a heated debate.
The case sparked a raging public debate on property rights.
: such as
a
: a regulated discussion of a proposition (see proposition entry 1 sense 1b) between two matched sides
the last presidential debate before the election
the debate's moderator
b
law and government
: the formal discussion of a motion (see motion entry 1 sense 3a) before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure
debated; debating
1
a
: to argue about
the subject was hotly debated
b
: to engage (an opponent) in debate
a governor debating her challenger
2
: to turn over in one's mind : to think about (something, such as different options) in order to decide
still debating what to do
1
: to participate in a debate
the six primary candidates who debated last night
2
a
: to contend in words
b
: to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments
debater
noun
Synonyms
Noun
Verb
Examples of debate in a Sentence
Noun
The candidates participated in several debates before the election was held.
The meaning of the text has been the subject of considerable debate among scholars for many years.
Verb
Scholars have been debating the meaning of the text for years.
Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the lower classes is still hotly debated among economists.
The energy bill is currently being debated in Congress.
The President debated his challenger in front of a live audience on Tuesday.
The students debated for an hour.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 July 2024
But some Democrats say that after Thursday’s debate performance, the question is about the country’s future — not the president’s past.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 3 July 2024
Now, facing a global terrorist threat, Biden administration officials are debating expanding cooperation with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to help track ISIS-K, two sources familiar with the matter and a former U.S. official said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for debate 
Noun
Twenty-four Democratic governors met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris Wednesday evening seeking assurance that Biden can survive the fallout from his disastrous debate performance to beat Donald Trump in the fall.
—Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 4 July 2024
But some Democrats say that after Thursday’s debate performance, the question is about the country’s future — not the president’s past.
—Toluse Olorunnipa, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Verb
Shah said the vaccine debate hinges in part on whether more distribution of flu treatments might be a better alternative.
—Jesse Sarles, CBS News, 3 July 2024
Now, facing a global terrorist threat, Biden administration officials are debating expanding cooperation with Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to help track ISIS-K, two sources familiar with the matter and a former U.S. official said.
—Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 3 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for debate
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near debate
Cite this Entry
“Debate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
debate
1 of 2 noun
de·bate
di-ˈbāt 
: a verbal argument: as
a
: the discussion of a motion before a legislature
b
: a regulated discussion of a problem between two matched sides
debate
2 of 2 verb
debated; debating
1
: to discuss or examine a question often publicly by presenting and considering arguments on both sides
2
: to take part in a debate
3
: to present or consider the reasons for and against : consider
debater
noun
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