debate

noun

OPAL W

/dɪˈbeɪt/

[countable, uncountable]

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a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposite views and then there is often a vote on the issue.
- the first ever televised presidential debate
- The minister opened the debate (= was the first to speak).
- After a long debate, Congress approved the proposal.
- debate on something a debate on transport policy
- under debate The motion under debate (= being discussed) was put to a vote.
Synonyms discussion
discussion
- conversation
- dialogue
- talk
- debate
- consultation
- chat
- gossip
These are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.
- discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:
  Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
- conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way:
  a telephone conversation
- dialogue conversations in a book, play or film:
  The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
  A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute:
  The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
- talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or something important for the people involved:
  I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
- debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue:
  a debate on prison reform
- consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about something:
  There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
- chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking. The countable use of chat is especially British English: I just called in for a chat about the kids.
- gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives:
  We had a good gossip about the boss.
Patterns
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Collocations Politics
PoliticsPower
- create/form/be the leader of a political party
- gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
- start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
- be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
- lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
- seize/take control of the government/power
- bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
- abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
- establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
- be forced/removed/driven from office/power
- resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
- enter/retire from/return to political life
Political debate
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
- launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
- join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
- criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
- lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
Policy
- call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
- formulate/implement domestic economic policy
- change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
- be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
- reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
- privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
- invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
- nationalize the banks/the oil industry
- promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
- a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congress
Making laws
- have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
- propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
- introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
- amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
- veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
- get/require/be decided by a majority vote
Wordfinder
- argument
- ayes
- chair
- debate
- the floor
- motion
- propose
- second
- speak
- vote
Extra Examples
- a debate on prison reform
- The president will open the debate.
- The environmentalists seem to have lost the debate over the building of this road.
- The poll showed that the Democrat won last night's presidential debate.
- Many of these points were raised during the debate on prison reform.
- The debate focused on who should pay for the changes.
- legislative debates over gay marriage
- a parliamentary debate on the fishing industry
- Experts pore over the President's debate performances.
- The union holds debates for students.
- The motion under debate was put to a vote.
- Three major issues have dominated the education debate.
Topics Politicsb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- brief
- lengthy
- long
- …
verb + debate
- have
- hold
- host
- …
debate + noun
- moderator
- coach
- team
- …
preposition
- during a/the debate
- in a/the debate
- debate about
- …
See full entry
an argument or a discussion expressing different opinions
- The issue has sparked debate across the industry.
- to provoke/stimulate debate
- a fierce/vigorous debate
- The theatre's future is a subject of lively public debate.
- Intense political debate focused on the merits of the two alternative schemes.
- debate about something There has been heated debate about whether the film should be allowed.
- debate on something There has been much debate on the issue of childcare.
- debate over something the ongoing debate over American foreign policy
- Whether he deserved what happened to him is open to debate (= cannot be certain or decided yet).
- under debate The issue is still under debate.
Extra Examples
- The proposed changes to the law have been the subject of much debate.
- the debate surrounding contemporary art
- the growing debate on school reform
- Many leading charities have contributed to the debate on world poverty.
- You cannot separate unemployment from the wider debate about the economy.
- We had a brief debate about whether or not to accept the offer.
- This accident has sparked off an intense debate on road safety.
- These events shifted debate from economic issues to social ones.
- The nature of this book is to provoke reasoned debate.
- The incident has reignited public debate over the role of teachers.
- The club started admitting women in 1901 after years of bitter debate.
- He was reluctant to enter the debate for or against war.
- He accused the government of trying to stifle debate.
- Efforts to reduce the budget have led to a lot of internal debate at the studio.
- What went on behind the scenes remains a matter for debate .
Topics Opinion and argumentb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- considerable
- growing
- fierce
- …
verb + debate
- have
- contribute to
- enter
- …
debate + verb
- occur
- take place
- rage
- …
preposition
- under debate
- debate about
- debate on
- …
phrases
- the subject of debate
See full entry

Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + battere ‘to fight’.

debate

verb

/dɪˈbeɪt/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they debate	/dɪˈbeɪt/ /dɪˈbeɪt/
he / she / it debates	/dɪˈbeɪts/ /dɪˈbeɪts/
past simple debated	/dɪˈbeɪtɪd/ /dɪˈbeɪtɪd/
past participle debated	/dɪˈbeɪtɪd/ /dɪˈbeɪtɪd/
-ing form debating	/dɪˈbeɪtɪŋ/ /dɪˈbeɪtɪŋ/

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[transitive, intransitive] to discuss something, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution synonym discuss
- debate (something) Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
- It is time to debate the issue of school funding.
- They debated endlessly, without ever reaching a decision.
- The question of the origin of the universe is still hotly debated (= strongly argued about) by scientists.
- to be openly/widely/publicly debated
- debate whether, what, etc… The committee will debate whether to lower the age of club membership to 16.
Synonyms talk
talk
- discuss
- speak
- communicate
- debate
- consult
These words all mean to share news, information, ideas or feelings with another person or other people, especially by talking with them.
- talk to speak in order to give information, express feelings or share ideas:
  We talked on the phone for over an hour.
- discuss (rather formal) to talk and share ideas on a subject or problem with other people, especially in order to decide something:
  Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
  You cannot say ‘discuss about something’: I’m not prepared to discuss about this on the phone.
- speak to talk to somebody about something; to have a conversation with somebody:
  I’ve spoken to the manager about it.
  ‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ (= at the beginning of a phone conversation)
talk or speak?Speak can suggest a more formal level of communication than talk. You speak to somebody about something to try to achieve a particular goal or to tell them to do something. You talk to somebody in order to be friendly or to ask their advice: Have you talked to your parents about the problems you’re having? • I’ve spoken to Ed about it and he’s promised not to let it happen again.
- communicate (rather formal) to exchange information or ideas with somebody:
  We only communicate by email.
  Dolphins use sound to communicate with each other.
  Communicate is often used when the speaker wants to draw attention to the means of communication used.
- debate to discuss something, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution:
  Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
- consult (rather formal) to discuss something with somebody in order to get their permission for something, or to help you make a decision:
  You shouldn’t have done it without consulting me.
Patterns
- to talk/discuss something/speak/communicate/debate/consult with somebody
- to talk/speak to somebody
- to talk/speak to somebody/consult somebody about something
- to talk/speak of something
Extra Examples
- The question of security needs to be debated publicly.
- The report has been widely debated in the industry.
- a presidential candidate debating with his opponent
Topics Opinion and argumentb2, Politicsb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- fully
- properly
- seriously
- …
preposition
- with
phrases
- be widely debated
See full entry
[intransitive, transitive] to think carefully about something before making a decision
- debate (with yourself) She debated with herself for a while, and then picked up the phone.
- debate whether, what, etc… We're debating whether or not to go skiing this winter.
- debate doing something For a moment he debated going after her.

Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + battere ‘to fight’.