- a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposite views and then there is often a vote on the issue.
- the first ever televised presidential debate
- The minister opened the debate (= was the first to speak).
- After a long debate, Congress approved the proposal.
- debate on something a debate on transport policy
- under debate The motion under debate (= being discussed) was put to a vote.
Synonyms discussiondiscussionconversation ▪ dialogue ▪ talk ▪ debate ▪ consultation ▪ chat ▪ gossipThese are all words for an occasion when people talk about something.discussion a detailed conversation about something that is considered to be important:- Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders.
- a telephone conversation
- The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue.
- The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue.
- I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects.
- a debate on prison reform
- There have been extensive consultations between the two countries.
- We had a good gossip about the boss.
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about something
- a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on something
- in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with somebody
- to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with somebody
- to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
Collocations PoliticsPoliticsPower- create/form/be the leader of a political party
- gain/take/win/lose/regain control of Congress
- start/spark/lead/be on the brink of a revolution
- be engaged/locked in an internal power struggle
- lead/form a rival/breakaway faction
- seize/take control of the government/power
- bring down/overthrow/topple the government/president/regime
- abolish/overthrow/restore the monarchy
- establish/install a military dictatorship/a stable government
- be forced/removed/driven from office/power
- resign/step down as party leader/an MP/president/prime minister
- enter/retire from/return to political life
- spark/provoke a heated/hot/intense/lively debate
- engage in/participate in/contribute to (the) political/public debate (on/over something)
- get involved in/feel excluded from the political process
- launch/start/lead/spearhead a campaign/movement
- join/be linked with the peace/anti-war/feminist/civil rights movement
- criticize/speak out against/challenge/support the government
- lobby/put pressure on the government (to do something)
- come under fire/pressure from opposition parties
- call for/demand/propose/push for/advocate democratic/political/land reform(s)
- formulate/implement domestic economic policy
- change/influence/shape/have an impact on government/economic/public policy
- be consistent with/be in line with/go against/be opposed to government policy
- reform/restructure/modernize the tax system
- privatize/improve/deliver/make cuts in public services
- invest (heavily) in/spend something on schools/education/public services/(the) infrastructure
- nationalize the banks/the oil industry
- promise/propose/deliver/give ($80 billion in/significant/substantial/massive) tax cuts
- a/the budget is approved/ (especially North American English) passed by parliament/congress
- have a majority in/have seats in Parliament/Congress/the Senate
- propose/sponsor a bill/legislation/a resolution
- introduce/bring in/draw up/draft/adopt/pass a bill/a law/legislation/measures
- amend/repeal an act/a law/legislation
- veto/vote against/oppose a bill/legislation/a measure/a proposal/a resolution
- get/require/be decided by a majority vote
Extra ExamplesTopics Politicsb2- a debate on prison reform
- The president will open the debate.
- The environmentalists seem to have lost the debate over the building of this road.
- The poll showed that the Democrat won last night's presidential debate.
- Many of these points were raised during the debate on prison reform.
- The debate focused on who should pay for the changes.
- legislative debates over gay marriage
- a parliamentary debate on the fishing industry
- Experts pore over the President's debate performances.
- The union holds debates for students.
- The motion under debate was put to a vote.
- Three major issues have dominated the education debate.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- brief
- lengthy
- long
- …
- have
- hold
- host
- …
- moderator
- coach
- team
- …
- during a/the debate
- in a/the debate
- debate about
- …
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- an argument or a discussion expressing different opinions
- The issue has sparked debate across the industry.
- to provoke/stimulate debate
- a fierce/vigorous debate
- The theatre's future is a subject of lively public debate.
- Intense political debate focused on the merits of the two alternative schemes.
- debate about something There has been heated debate about whether the film should be allowed.
- debate on something There has been much debate on the issue of childcare.
- debate over something the ongoing debate over American foreign policy
- Whether he deserved what happened to him is open to debate (= cannot be certain or decided yet).
- under debate The issue is still under debate.
Extra ExamplesTopics Opinion and argumentb2- The proposed changes to the law have been the subject of much debate.
- the debate surrounding contemporary art
- the growing debate on school reform
- Many leading charities have contributed to the debate on world poverty.
- You cannot separate unemployment from the wider debate about the economy.
- We had a brief debate about whether or not to accept the offer.
- This accident has sparked off an intense debate on road safety.
- These events shifted debate from economic issues to social ones.
- The nature of this book is to provoke reasoned debate.
- The incident has reignited public debate over the role of teachers.
- The club started admitting women in 1901 after years of bitter debate.
- He was reluctant to enter the debate for or against war.
- He accused the government of trying to stifle debate.
- Efforts to reduce the budget have led to a lot of internal debate at the studio.
- What went on behind the scenes remains a matter for debate .
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- considerable
- growing
- fierce
- …
- have
- contribute to
- enter
- …
- occur
- take place
- rage
- …
- under debate
- debate about
- debate on
- …
- the subject of debate
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + battere ‘to fight’.
Check pronunciation:
debate