Library / English Dictionary

DEBATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

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

Example:

the argument over foreign aid goes on and on

Synonyms:

argument; argumentation; debate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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)

Synonyms:

debate; disputation; public debate

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

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)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Argue with one another

Example:

John debated Mary

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

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:

Have an argument about something

Synonyms:

argue; contend; debate; fence

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Discuss the pros and cons of an issue

Synonyms:

debate; deliberate

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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:

Think about carefully; weigh

Example:

Turn the proposal over in your mind

Synonyms:

consider; debate; deliberate; moot; turn over

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

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

Credits

 Context examples: 

Adding another key finding to the on-going debate on how caffeine affects our health, new research states that it may not be harmful to the heart.

(3 Cups Of Coffee Daily Could Improve Heart Function, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

For years, astronomers have debated exactly how gas makes its way to the center of galaxies.

(Spiraling filaments feed young galaxies, National Science Foundation’s Division of Astronomical Sciences.)

How they are caused remains up for debate, and in the case of FRB 121102 the repeats add to the mystery.

(Mysterious Radio Signals Detected from Deep Space, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Other than proof that there was a significant amount of water once in Gale Crater, what these new findings mean for the region is still up for debate.

(Curiosity Mars Rover Finds a Clay Cache, NASA)

Despite the atypical features and possible course, there is debate on whether to consider this a neoplasm.

(Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia, NCI Thesaurus)

However, there has been a debate over what triggers these white dwarf explosions.

(Trigger for Milky Way’s Youngest Supernova Identified, NASA)

Stroke experts have debated whether intensive glucose management after acute ischemic stroke leads to better outcomes but a new study in JAMA finds that aggressive methods are not better than standard approaches.

(Researchers get a handle on how to control blood sugar after stroke, National Institutes of Health)

We already had a heated debate with differing views on this issue.

(Health threats caused by mobile phone radiation, EUROPARL TV)

Interesting philosophical ideas and concepts and debating literary and political questions interest me more!

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Scientists have long debated where and how this happens in the jet.

(NuSTAR Probes Black Hole Jet Mystery, NASA)