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debate - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'debate' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Debate [ v. i.]
- To engage in strife or combat; to fight.
- To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
2 . Debate [ v. t.]
- To engage in combat for; to strive for.
- To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.
- A fight or fighting; contest; strife.
- Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.
- Subject of discussion.

Meaning of 'debate' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . debate [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal
Example in sentence:
  • the argument over foreign aid goes on and on
2 . debate [ v]
Meaning (2):
- argue with one another
Example in sentence:
  • John debated Mary;
  • We debated the question of abortion
Meaning (3):
- think about carefully; weigh
Example in sentence:
  • They considered the possibility of a strike;
  • Turn the proposal over in your mind

Nearby Words:

debacchate debacchation debacle debar debarb debark debarkation debarked debarking debarment

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