Debate vs. Forum

An argument, or discussion, usually in an ordered or formal setting, often with more than two people, generally ending with a vote or other decision.

Example: ‘After a four-hour debate, the committee voted to table the motion.’;

An informal and spirited but generally civil discussion of opposing views.

Example: ‘The debate over the age of the universe is thousands of years old.’; ‘There was a bit of a debate over who should pay for the damaged fence.’;

(uncountable) Discussion of opposing views.

Example: ‘There has been considerable debate concerning exactly how to format these articles.’;

(frequently in the French form débat) A type of literary composition, taking the form of a discussion or disputation, commonly found in the vernacular medieval poetry of many European countries, as well as in medieval Latin.

(obsolete) Strife, discord.

(ambitransitive) To participate in a debate; to dispute, argue, especially in a public arena.

To fight.

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

(transitive) To consider (to oneself), to think over, to attempt to decide

To engage in combat for; to strive for.

Example: ‘Volunteers . . . thronged to serve under his banner, and the cause of religion was debated with the same ardor in Spain as on the plains of Palestine.’;

To contend for in words or arguments; to strive to maintain by reasoning; to dispute; to contest; to discuss; to argue for and against.

Example: ‘A wise council . . . that did debate this business.’; ‘Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself.’;

To engage in strife or combat; to fight.

Example: ‘Well could he tourney and in lists debate.’;

To contend in words; to dispute; hence, to deliberate; to consider; to discuss or examine different arguments in the mind; - often followed by on or upon.

Example: ‘He presents that great soul debating upon the subject of life and death with his intimate friends.’;

A fight or fighting; contest; strife.

Example: ‘On the day of the Trinity next ensuing was a great debate . . . and in that murder there were slain . . . fourscore.’; ‘But question fierce and proud replyGave signal soon of dire debate.’;

Contention in words or arguments; discussion for the purpose of elucidating truth or influencing action; strife in argument; controversy; as, the debates in Parliament or in Congress.

Example: ‘Heard, noted, answer'd, as in full debate.’;

Subject of discussion.

Example: ‘Statutes and edicts concerning this debate.’;

a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal;

Example: ‘the argument over foreign aid goes on and on’;

the formal presentation of and opposition to a stated proposition (usually followed by a vote)

argue with one another;

Example: ‘We debated the question of abortion’; ‘John debated Mary’;

think about carefully; weigh;

Example: ‘They considered the possibility of a strike’; ‘Turn the proposal over in your mind’;

discuss the pros and cons of an issue

have an argument about something

a formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward and which usually ends with a vote

Example: ‘last night's debate on the Education Bill’;

an argument about a particular subject, especially one in which many people are involved

Example: ‘there has been much debate about prices’; ‘the national debate on abortion’;

argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner

Example: ‘MPs debated the issue in the Commons’; ‘members of the society debated for five nights’;

consider a possible course of action in one's mind before reaching a decision

Example: ‘he debated whether he should leave the matter alone or speak to her’;

Debate is a process that involves formal discourse on a particular topic. In a debate, arguments are put forward for often opposing viewpoints.

A place for discussion.

A gathering for the purpose of discussion.

A form of discussion involving a panel of presenters and often participation by members of the audience.

(Internet) An Internet message board where users can post messages regarding one or more topics of discussion.

Example: ‘Trish was an admin on three forums, and had no trouble at all when it came to moderating them.’;

(historical) A square or marketplace in a Roman town, used for public business and commerce.

A market place or public place in Rome, where causes were judicially tried, and orations delivered to the people.

A tribunal; a court; an assembly empowered to hear and decide causes.

Example: ‘He [Lord Camden] was . . . more eminent in the senate than in the forum.’;

a public meeting or assembly for open discussion

a public facility to meet for open discussion

a place of assembly for the people in ancient Greece