debate
/dɪˈbeɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈbeɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈbāt dē-/ (ame, mw)
debate — noun
- debatesingular
- debatesplural
1. an event or situation in which people present and exchange opposing views on a s
an event or situation in which people present and exchange opposing views on a subject, often in a formal setting such as a meeting, a parliament, or a public forum.
A serious debate about climate change took place at the town hall last night.
collocation: serious debate / heated debate
The debate over the new tax law continued in the Senate for three weeks.
debate + over + topic
There has been much debate among scientists about the safety of the new medicine.
After hours of heated debate, the committee finally reached an agreement.
The government called for a public debate on education reform before the new school year.
- discussion
more general and less structured than a debate
- argument
can be more emotional and less formal than a debate
- dispute
suggests strong disagreement, often with a clearer winner and loser
- consensus
general agreement, the opposite of opposing views
文法句型
debate + about/on/over + topic
debate + among/between + participants
用法筆記
Often implies a structured exchange where two or more sides express contrasting opinions, not merely casual conversation.
常見錯誤
2. a structured contest in which two sides take turns arguing for and against a giv
a structured contest in which two sides take turns arguing for and against a given statement or proposition, with judges or an audience deciding which side presented stronger arguments.
Andrés won first place in the national debate competition at his university.
collocation: debate competition / debate team
The school debate team practiced every evening for the upcoming championship.
Aylin and Mira prepared arguments on both sides of the debate topic.
The judges praised all four teams at the debate tournament for their excellent research.
- debate tournament
specifies a multi-round competition
- contest
more general; a debate is a specific type of contest
- competition
broader term; a debate is a verbal form of competition
文法句型
debate + on + topic
debate + between + teams
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 always refers to a formal competitive event with rules, judges, and a declared winner, not simply any discussion.
常見錯誤
debate — verb
- debatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- debates3rd person singular
- debating-ing form
- debatedpast simple
1. to take part in a formal discussion about a topic, presenting arguments for and
to take part in a formal discussion about a topic, presenting arguments for and against it, often in a public meeting, a legislature, or a similar setting where opposing views are heard.
City council members will debate the new housing proposal at next week's meeting.
debate + noun phrase (new housing proposal)
Padma debated her opponent on the question of free public university tuition.
The senators debated the healthcare bill late into the night.
Students debated whether artificial intelligence will help or harm society.
We spent the afternoon debating the best way to improve public transport in our city.
- agree
to share the same opinion rather than argue opposing views
文法句型
debate + noun phrase (a topic, an issue)
debate + whether/if + clause
debate + about/over + topic
用法筆記
Frequently used in academic and political contexts. Unlike the noun form, this verb can describe both formal events (council meetings) and less formal group discussions where different opinions are exchanged.
常見錯誤
2. to think carefully about the different sides of a question or choice in your own
to think carefully about the different sides of a question or choice in your own mind before deciding what to do, weighing reasons for and against.
Tendai is still debating whether to take the job in Tokyo or stay in Taipei.
debate + whether + infinitive
Cole debated with himself about which college major would lead to a better career.
I am debating whether to take the train or drive to the airport tomorrow morning.
Quinn debated the pros and cons of moving abroad before making a final choice.
Dewi debated for weeks whether she should tell her boss about the mistake.
- weigh
more direct; 'weigh options' suggests comparing specific factors
- consider
broader; can include debating internally but also other forms of thinking
- deliberate
suggests slow, careful thought, often with others as well
- decide
to reach a conclusion rather than continuing to think about options
文法句型
debate + whether/if + clause
debate + noun phrase (options, pros and cons)
debate + with + oneself
用法筆記
Unlike verb sense 1, this sense describes internal reflection rather than a conversation with others. The subject is usually a person facing a personal decision, and there is no external opponent.