Debate | Mean of debate in English Dictionary

/dɪˈbeɪt/

• Noun
• a discussion between people in which they express different opinions about something
1. The candidates participated in several debates before the election was held.
2. Our polite chat about politics slowly turned into a heated debate. [=argument]
3. At the center/core/heart of the debate [=controversy] is the question of responsibility.
4. The university is hosting a debate on gun control.
5. current debates on/about the value of public schools
6. The town held a debate over what to do about the recent traffic problems.
7. The court decision sparked a raging/furious debate over property rights.
8. The meaning of the text has been the subject of considerable/intense/lively debate among scholars for many years.
9. What topics will be under debate? [=debated]
10. There was much debate on/about/over whether the new program was worth the cost.
11. There's little debate [=controversy] about the health benefits of moderate exercise.
12. The book traces centuries of debate over the origins of language.
13. Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the poor is still a matter of debate. [=debatable]
14. The accuracy of the report is open to debate.
• Verb
• to discuss (something) with people whose opinions are different from your own
1. Scholars have been debating the meaning of the text for years.
2. Whether or not the tax cuts benefit the lower classes is still hotly debated among economists.
3. The energy bill is currently being debated in Congress.
• to compete against (someone) in a debate
1. The President debated his challenger in front of a live audience on Tuesday.
2. The students debated for an hour.
3. She was on the debating team [=a group that competes against other teams in formal debates] at school.

• to think about (something) in order to decide what to do
1. I debated [=considered] moving to the city, but eventually decided against it.
2. I am still debating (with myself) whether to attend the wedding or not.
3. She is still debating what to do.