Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: debatre, from batre 'to hit'

debate

2 verb
     
debate2 [intransitive and transitive]
1 to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or find a solution:
The issue will be debated on Tuesday.
debate whether/what/how etc
Meanwhile, philosophers debate whether it's right to clone an individual.
debate (something) with somebody
an invitation to debate with William on the future of democracy
His conclusions are hotly debated (=argued about strongly).
2 to consider something carefully before making a decision
debate with yourself
I debated with myself whether I should tell anyone.
debate who/what/how etc
I'm still debating what to do.
debate doing something
For a moment Mary debated telling Rick the truth.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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