Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
DEBATE
I. noun
Date: 13th century
a contention by words or arguments: as, the formal discussion of a motion before a deliberative body according to the rules of parliamentary procedure, a regulated discussion of a proposition between two matched sides,
II. verb (debated; debating)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French debatre, from de- + batre to beat, from Latin battuere
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb fight , contend ,
2. to contend in words, to discuss a question by considering opposed arguments, to participate in a debate, transitive verb
1. to argue about , to engage (an opponent) in debate, to turn over in one's mind , see: discuss debatement noun debater noun