debate

Everyday

1. A debate is a formal discussion where people give arguments for and against an idea, often with rules and a vote at the end. tree →
2. Debate is discussion and disagreement about something. tree →
3. To debate is to discuss something carefully, or to think hard about which choice to make. tree →

In the lessons

In school, pupils hold debates in class or a debating club: one side argues for («for the motion») and the other against. In social studies, parliament and councils debate new laws. In everyday life you debate what to do, «I debated whether to go». Phrases: hold a debate, debating team, a heated debate, open to debate, debate whether.

Examples

• Our class held a debate about school uniform. tree →
• The two sides took turns in the debate. tree →
• There is a lot of debate about the best way to learn. tree →
• The council debated the new park for hours. tree →
• I debated whether to have pizza or pasta. tree →
• She joined the school debating team. tree →
• Whether cats are better than dogs is open to debate. tree →
• But when the Mice further debated who among them should thus “bell the Cat,” there was no one found to do it. tree →

Note

Countable for events (a debate, debates), uncountable for discussion in general. Verb: debated, debating. Pronounced di-BAYT. In a debate you should attack the argument, not the person.

In Jewish tradition

In Proverbs it means to argue a case with a neighbour face to face.

Interpretation. Proverbs is read as teaching that you should settle quarrels directly and never reveal another person's secret.

Examples

• Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another; (Writings PRO.25.9, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable for events (a debate, debates), uncountable for discussion in general. Verb: debated, debating. Pronounced di-BAYT. In a debate you should attack the argument, not the person.