debate

Type: verb, noun

Definitions: (verb) If you debate something, you consider its positive and negative points, often by talking with other people in a formal situation such as government. (noun) A debate is an exchange of ideas looking at different sides of an issue.

Examples: (verb) This essay will debate whether sending children to pre school is beneficial for their development. (verb) The government are planning to debate the issue of legalising recreational drugs. (noun) There will be a debate in the lecture theatre next week concerning the proposed changes to the university syllabus. (noun) The government’s spending programme is the subject of much heated debate.

Synonyms: nouns: discussion, argument. verbs: discuss, argue.

Academic Word List Sublist and Group: 4 D