- (v.t.) Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.
- (v.t.) To engage in combat for; to strive for.
- (v.t.) Subject of discussion.
- (v.i.) To engage in strife or combat; to fight.
- (v.t.) A fight or fighting; contest; strife.
- (v.i.) To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; -- often followed by on or upon.
- (v.t.) To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). debate. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/debate/definitions/1994749 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "debate" http://smartdefine.org/debate/definitions/1994749 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, debate, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/debate/definitions/1994749>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "debate" 27 May 2011. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/debate/definitions/1994749> |