DEBATE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does debate mean? 

• DEBATE (noun)
  The noun DEBATE has 2 senses:

1. a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal

2. the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)

  Familiarity information: DEBATE used as a noun is rare.

• DEBATE (verb)
  The verb DEBATE has 4 senses:

1. argue with one another

2. think about carefully; weigh

3. discuss the pros and cons of an issue

4. have an argument about something

  Familiarity information: DEBATE used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEBATE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

argument; argumentation; debate

Context example:

the argument over foreign aid goes on and on

Hypernyms ("debate" is a kind of...):

discussion; give-and-take; word (an exchange of views on some topic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "debate"):

logomachy (argument about words or the meaning of words)

Derivation:

debate (argue with one another)

debate (have an argument about something)

debate (discuss the pros and cons of an issue)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

debate; disputation; public debate

Hypernyms ("debate" is a kind of...):

oral presentation; public speaking; speaking; speechmaking (delivering an address to a public audience)

Derivation:

debate (discuss the pros and cons of an issue)

• DEBATE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they debate    ... he / she / it debates   
Past simple: debated   
Past participle: debated   
-ing form: debating   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Argue with one another

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

John debated Mary

Hypernyms (to "debate" is one way to...):

consider; debate; deliberate; moot; turn over (think about carefully; weigh)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue debate
Sam cannot debate Sue

Derivation:

debate (a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal)

debater (someone who engages in debate)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Think about carefully; weigh

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

consider; debate; deliberate; moot; turn over

Context example:

Turn the proposal over in your mind

Hypernyms (to "debate" is one way to...):

discuss; hash out; talk over (speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion)

Verb group:

consider; study (give careful consideration to)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "debate"):

see (deliberate or decide)

premeditate (consider, ponder, or plan (an action) beforehand)

debate (argue with one another)

wrestle (engage in deep thought, consideration, or debate)

think twice (consider and reconsider carefully)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Somebody ----s whether INFINITIVE

Sentence example:

They debate moving

Sense 3

Meaning:

Discuss the pros and cons of an issue

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

debate; deliberate

Hypernyms (to "debate" is one way to...):

discuss; hash out; talk over (speak with others about (something); talk (something) over in detail; have a discussion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "debate"):

vex (subject to prolonged examination, discussion, or deliberation)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue debate
The cool air does debate good

Derivation:

debatable (capable of being disproved)

debatable (open to argument or debate)

debate (a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal)

debate (the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote))

debater (someone who engages in debate)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Have an argument about something

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

argue; contend; debate; fence

Hypernyms (to "debate" is one way to...):

converse; discourse (carry on a conversation)

"Debate" entails doing...:

differ; disagree; dissent; take issue (be of different opinions)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "debate"):

stickle (dispute or argue stubbornly (especially minor points))

spar (fight verbally)

bicker; brabble; niggle; pettifog; quibble; squabble (argue over petty things)

altercate; argufy; dispute; quarrel; scrap (have a disagreement over something)

oppose (be against; express opposition to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

debatable (open to argument or debate)

debate (a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal)

 Context examples 

Managed care has figured heavily in the national debate over health care.

(Managed Care, NCI Thesaurus)

The exact identity of the polypeptide that catalyzes the gamma-secretase enzyme activity has been debated.

(Notch Proteolysis and Signaling Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The role of ion channels in the transduction of these signals into cellular responses is still a matter of debate and has received substantial attention only in the last few years.

(Ion Channels in Vascular Endothelium Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

In this council was resumed their old debate, and indeed the only debate that ever happened in their country; whereof my master, after his return, give me a very particular account.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The problem he was thus debating as he walked, was one of a class that is rarely solved.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

If not, I have three very worthy squires, any one of whom would take the thing upon himself, and debate it with you in a very honorable way.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Skiff Miller again debated with himself, though this time aloud, at the same time running his gaze in a judicial way over the mooted animal.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He heard her voice as from far off, for he was debating whether he would read her the "Sea Lyrics."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Considerable debate has surrounded the histogenesis of this neoplasm; it usually has a benign nature.

(Granular Cell Tumor, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.

(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, NCI Thesaurus)