This is a word which is often used wrongly. This is the correct usage:
"Parliament had a debate on the new Private Member's Bill" or
"The pupils were allowed to debate whether they would play soccer or Rugby football next season"
Wrong usage is:
"I had to debate whether to wear my hair straight or curly". It doesn't mean decide; it's a discussion between two or more people in which two or more points of view are put across.
The two sides of the debate are the plaintiff and the defendant.
The debate team went to the state competition. I practiced for my debate at school.
You don't as there is no "DEBAT" in the English language.You would use "DEBATE" as follows:The political opponents were to discuss the question in a debate on Thursday.
Indeed, this is the crux of the entire debate.
Here are some examples: What issue would you like to debate? The class debated whether they wanted extra recess or pajama day. The judge debated the case as guilty.
From my understanding when you use debate as a verb it acts on the subject that will be debated, not the person who you are engaging in conversation with. For example if someone says "Linda is going to debate Bob" the actually meaning is that Linda's subject matter for her debate is Bob. People mistakenly use a sentence like that to mean Linda is going to debate an issue against her opponent Bob.
Their was a debate in school today>
Two people had a debate because they had different opinions
Frank's solecism caused his debate team much embarrassment.
Wilmot Proviso spurred a debate showing growth in sectionalism.
I am uncomfortable when you debate the pros and cons of our life together.
"The council debate on what to do with the old abandoned building had dragged on for months, but was rendered moot the night the building burned down."