Debate

noun
1.
a discussion, as of a public question in an assembly, involving opposing viewpoints:
a debate in the Senate on farm price supports.
2.
a formal contest in which the affirmative and negative sides of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers.
3.
deliberation; consideration.
4.
Archaic. strife; contention.
verb (used without object), debated, debating.
5.
to engage in argument or discussion, as in a legislative or public assembly:
When we left, the men were still debating.
6.
to participate in a formal debate.
7.
to deliberate; consider:
I debated with myself whether to tell them the truth or not.
8.
Obsolete. to fight; quarrel.
verb (used with object), debated, debating.
9.
to argue or discuss (a question, issue, or the like), as in a legislative or public assembly:
They debated the matter of free will.
10.
to dispute or disagree about:
The homeowners debated the value of a road on the island.
11.
to engage in formal argumentation or disputation with (another person, group, etc.):
Jones will debate Smith. Harvard will debate Princeton.
12.
to deliberate upon; consider:
He debated his decision in the matter.
13.
Archaic. to contend for or over.
noun
1.
a formal discussion, as in a legislative body, in which opposing arguments are put forward
2.
discussion or dispute
3.
the formal presentation and opposition of a specific motion, followed by a vote
verb
4.
to discuss (a motion), esp in a formal assembly
5.
to deliberate upon (something): he debated with himself whether to go