0 past simple and past participle of debate
1 to discuss a subject in a formal way:
They had been debating for several hours without reaching a conclusion.
[ + question word ] The authorities debated whether to build a new car park.
[ + question word ] We debated whether to take the earlier train.
There was no seconder for the motion so it could not be debated.
The ethics of journalism are much debated.
They were debating the proposition that 'All people are created equal'.
I'm still debating whether to take the job or not.
The precise character and form of historical definitions of 'peace' have always been debated.
The ethical resources of this society are only now being explored as the concept comes to be debated.
These questions, of course, already are widely debated in the media, and interest groups already are staking out their positions.
