Debated Debating Debate Dɪˈbeɪt Question Origin Hotly Politicians

• politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
• the question of the origin of the universe is still hotly debated (= strongly argued about) by scientists.
• the committee will debate whether to lower the age of club membership to 16.
• we talked on the phone for over an hour.

debate

1. to discuss something, especially formally, before making a decision or finding a solution
• synonym discuss
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/discuss
• Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
• The question of the origin of the universe is still hotly debated (= strongly argued about) by scientists.
• The committee will debate whether to lower the age of club membership to 16.
• We talked on the phone for over an hour.
• Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
• I’ve spoken to the manager about it.
• ‘Can I speak to Susan?’ ‘Speaking.’ (= at the beginning of a telephone conversation)
• Have you talked to your parents about the problems you’re having?
• I’ve spoken to Ed about it and he’s promised not to let it happen again.
• We only communicate by email.
• Dolphins use sound to communicate with each other.
• Politicians will be debating the bill later this week.
• You shouldn’t have done it without consulting me.
2. to think carefully about something before making a decision
• She debated with herself for a while, and then picked up the phone.
• We're debating whether or not to go skiing this winter.
• For a moment he debated going after her.

Extra Examples

• He sat there debating with himself what to do.
• The issue is still being hotly debated.
• The question of security needs to be debated publicly.
• The report has been widely debated in the industry.
• a presidential candidate debating with his opponent
• She debated with herself for a while and then picked up the phone.
• The question of the origin of the universe is still hotly debated by scientists.
• We’re debating whether or not to go skiing this winter.

Verb Forms

• present simple I / you / we / they debate
• he / she / it debates
• past simple debated
• past participle debated
• -ing form debating

Word Origin

• Middle English: via Old French from Latin dis- (expressing reversal) + battere ‘to fight’.