1. (

• argument ,
• argumentation ,
• debate ,

) a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal; "the argument over foreign aid goes on and on" ;

2. (

• debate ,
• disputation ,
• public_debate

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

1. (

• debate

) argue with one another; "We debated the question of abortion"; "John debated Mary" ;

2. (

• consider ,
• debate ,
• moot ,
• turn_over ,
• deliberate ,

) think about carefully; weigh; "They considered the possibility of a strike"; "Turn the proposal over in your mind" ;

3. (

• debate ,
• deliberate

) discuss the pros and cons of an issue ;

4. (

• argue ,
• contend ,
• debate ,
• fence

) have an argument about something ;