a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints

a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.

a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.

deliberation; consideration.

Archaic . strife; contention.

to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly

When we left, the men were still debating.

to participate in a formal debate.

to deliberate; consider

I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.

Obsolete . to fight; quarrel.

to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly

They debated the matter of free will.

to dispute or disagree about

The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.

to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.)

Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.

to deliberate upon; consider

He debated his decision in the matter.

Archaic . to contend for or over.

noun

agreement

verb

agree , go along

noun

agitation , altercation , argument , argumentation , blah-blah , cogitation , contention , contest , controversy , controverting , deliberation , dialectic , disputation , dispute , forensic , hassle , match , meditation , mooting , polemic , rebutting , reflection , refuting , tiff , words , wrangle , bicker , clash , difficulty , disagreement , fight , quarrel , run-in , spat , squabble , word , forensics , discussion , dissension , moot , moot court , polemics

verb

agitate , altercate , answer , bandy , bicker , bump heads , canvass , chew the fat , cogitate , confab , confute , consider , contend , contest , controvert , cross swords * , deliberate , demonstrate , differ , discept , disprove , dispute , hammer away at , hash over , hassle , have at it , kick around * , knock around , lock horns * , moot , oppose , pettifog , pick a bone , prove , put up argument , question , reason , rebut , refute , rehash , set to , talk back * , talk game , thrash out * , toss around * , wrangle , argue , argument , controversy , discuss , examine , fight , negotiate , parley , ponder , quarrel , spar