Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - debate

~1 n 1 discussion or argument on a subject that people have different opinions about + on/over/abou  (As yet there has been little public debate on these issues. | fierce/heated/intense debate (=discussion involving very strong opinions) | the welfare/abortion etc debate)  (the gun control debate in the US) 2 a formal discussion on a subject + about/on  (a lively debate on the relevance of Marx today) 3 be open to debate also be a matter for debate if an idea is open to debate no-one has proved yet whether it is true or false  (Whether that would have made any difference is open to debate.) 4 under debate being discussed  (The whole question of compensation is still under debate.) ~2 v 1 to discuss a subject formally when you are trying to make a decision or find a solution  (We debated for several hours before taking a vote. | debate whether/what/how etc)  (debating whether to raise the price of school meals | hotly debated (=argued about strongly))  (His conclusions are hotly debated among academics.) 2 to consider something in your own mind before reaching a decision  (debate with yourself)  (He debated with himself for a moment then replied. | debate who/what/how etc)  (I wasn't feeling well and was debating whether to go to work.) - debater n