I. de ‧ bate 1 S2 W2 AC /dɪˈbeɪt/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ debate , ↑ debater ; verb : ↑ debate ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time and in which people express different opinions:
the gun-control debate in the US
The new drug has become the subject of heated debate within the medical profession.
debate over/about
There has been widespread public debate over the introduction of genetically modified food.
There was much lively debate about whether women should spend more time in the home.
A fierce debate raged over which artist’s work should be chosen for the prize.
debate between
the ongoing debate between environmentalists and the road-building lobby over the future of our countryside
Nuclear power has always been a topic that has sparked off considerable debate.
2 . [uncountable and countable] a formal discussion of a particular problem, subject etc in which people express different opinions, and sometimes vote on them
debate on/over/about
a debate on legalized gambling
a televised debate
have/hold/conduct a debate
It would have been better to hold the debate during the day.
be under debate
What topics are under debate in Congress this week?
3 . be open to debate ( also be a matter for debate ) if an idea is open to debate, no one has proved yet whether it is true or false SYN debatable :
Whether that would have made any difference is open to debate.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ considerable debate
There has been considerable debate about the way forward for education.
▪ lively debate (=interesting and involving a lot of different opinions)
The conference produced some lively debate.
▪ intense debate (=in which people put forward strong and different arguments)
The future of the nuclear industry has been a matter of intense debate.
▪ a heated/fierce debate (=in which people express strong opinions in an angry way)
There has been a fierce debate over the way the war was fought.
▪ a wider debate (=involving more people or a more general discussion)
We believe that there should be a wider debate on such an important issue.
▪ a public debate (=in which people put forward their ideas publicly, so that everyone can form an opinion.)
He called for a public debate on race and discrimination.
▪ national debate (=one that involves everyone in a country)
It is time to start a national debate on the future of the health service.
▪ political debate (=involving members of political parties)
There was much political debate on pensions reform.
▪ long-running debate (=continuing for a long time)
the long-running debate about the future of our inner cities
▪ ongoing debate (=still continuing)
This is unlikely to be the final word in this ongoing debate.
■ verbs
▪ have a debate
I think we should have a public debate on this issue.
▪ provoke/spark/trigger debate (=cause a debate to start)
The episode provoked fierce debate about freedom of speech.
▪ stifle debate (=prevent people from having a debate)
How can the party stifle debate on such an important issue?
▪ debate rages (=happens over a period of time and and involves strong feelings)
A national debate is now raging over the level of youth crime.
■ phrases
▪ be the subject of debate (=be something that people discuss)
Teaching methods have long been the subject of debate.
▪ be a matter of debate (=be something that people have discussed)
The effectiveness of the government’s policy has been a matter of fierce debate.
▪ be a matter for debate (=be something that people should discuss)
The future of the police force is a matter for public debate.
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THESAURUS
▪ discussion an occasion when you discuss something, or the process of discussing it:
After a long discussion, they decided to paint the room pale blue.
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This led to a discussion of our favourite books.
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There are several projects under discussion (=being discussed) .
▪ debate discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time, in which people express different opinions. Also used to mean a formal discussion of a subject, after which people vote for or against something:
There is a lot of debate about the safety of nuclear power.
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The student union is holding a debate on immigration.
▪ talks formal discussions between governments, organizations etc:
the Arab-Israeli peace talks
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The next round of trade talks will be held in the spring.
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Bilateral talks (=between two groups or countries) on refugees took place in November.
▪ negotiations official discussions between two or more groups who are trying to agree on something:
The two sides have begun negotiations aimed at ending the dispute.
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International negotiations on reducing sulphur dioxide emissions have ended without agreement.
▪ conference a large formal meeting at which people from many places discuss their work or research, or important matters relating to their organization:
an international conference on nuclear physics
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the Labour Party conference
▪ consultation a formal discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions:
The govenment promised a full public consultation before a decision was made to build the airport.
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The revised syllabus was devised after wide consultations with the teaching profession.
II. debate 2 AC BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ debate , ↑ debater ; verb : ↑ debate ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: debatre , from batre 'to hit' ]
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.
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THESAURUS
■ to talk seriously
▪ discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans:
They met to discuss how the building should be designed.
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She refuses to discuss the matter.
▪ talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you:
Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.
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You two need to sit down and talk things over.
▪ debate to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or solve a problem:
The issue will be debated on Tuesday.
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The UN Security Council debated whether to impose sanctions.