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Politics & Government vocabulary · Parliament and Legislation

Debate

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

/dɪˈbeɪt/nounCore term

In politics & government, debate means: A formal discussion in which people, such as MPs or candidates, present different views on a subject, often before a decision or a vote.

In Turkish: görüşme, müzakere, tartışma

How it is used

Parliament holds debates on bills and motions, and MPs speak in a debate. Candidates take part in televised debates during a campaign. Debate is also a verb: the bill will be debated tomorrow. Public debate means wider discussion in society.

Example sentences

  1. The debate on the education bill lasted more than seven hours.

  2. The two candidates will meet in a televised debate next Thursday.

Common collocations

  • parliamentary debate
  • televised debate
  • hold a debate
  • public debate
  • heated debate
  • parliamentThe elected body of representatives that makes a country's laws, approves the budget and checks the work of the government.
  • billA written proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law, which parliament discusses and votes on before it can become law.
  • speakerThe person chosen to chair the meetings of a parliament or one of its chambers, keep order during debates and represent the chamber officially.
  • campaignA planned series of activities, such as speeches, advertisements and meetings with voters, that a candidate or party carries out to win an election.

More terms: Parliament and Legislation

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