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public debate

public debate

12 3.0
A discussion among many people and the media about an issue in newspapers, TV, and online
  • noun
  • /ˈpʌblɪk dɪˈbeɪt/
  • Literature
translation icon : debate público
  • The public debate around climate change has intensified in recent years as more people engage with the issue.
  • a heated public debate
  • public debate about an issue
  • matter of public debate

And you can't have an open public debate that shares information freely.

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Examples

  • Leaders of both the BTBC and the PFLA represented their constituents' interests during key public debates and meetings.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Planetary astronomers now engage in an endless public debate that detracts from the real exploration being done.

    Blog text (28)
  • I am going to go with the idea that reason is your voice in public debates over politics, culture and ideas.

  • So even after it's this table was put on about four years ago, the public debates continued.

  • The theory of natural rights is the basis for public debate and legislation in Europe and Canada.

    Blog text (5)
  • The construction of the museum is accompanied by many public debates about the content and space of the displays.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In recent years, there has been considerable public debate over the competency testing of public school teachers.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The pro and anti Dreyfus camps dominated the public debate for years and really split the French intellectual community.

  • In order to give some legitimacy to his regime, Boumediene launched a public debate on the proposal for a National Charter.

    Academic text (1993)
  • While these ills are undesirable, the accompanying exposure and public debate are surely a sign of health in the body politic.

    Academic text (1994)

Synonyms

debate
vspublic debate
  • Formal
2.0

A formal discussion where opposing sides argue about a topic

is less formal and broader, involving ongoing media conversation
discussion
vspublic debate
1.4

A conversation where people share ideas and opinions to decide or understand

is broader across media and citizens rather than small group talks
controversy
vspublic debate
465 4.9

A long public disagreement that causes strong arguments between people

is usually a broad ongoing conversation across media, not only heated dispute
airing
vspublic debate
14 4.5

A public discussion where people openly share different views

is the continuous conversation across media and citizens, not single occasions
public discussion
vspublic debate
9 2.8

An open talk where many people share views about things that affect everyone

is broader involving ongoing conversation across media platforms
open discussion
vspublic debate
8 3.3

A conversation where people share ideas honestly without holding back

is wider and often media driven, not only about honest expression
mass debate
vspublic debate
4.1

A large public discussion with many people about important issues

is more continuous across media and the general population rather than one event

Antonyms

119 4.8

A system that removes parts of books, films or news that people find harmful

How Widespread

public debate
  • Literature
12 3.0
conversation
1.0

Surface Forms

public debate singular

Morphology

public + debate

The meaning of 'public debate' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'public' (open or for everyone) with 'debate' (a discussion with opposing sides): it simply denotes a debate that involves or is accessible to the general public and media. This is a straightforward noun–modifier composition common across languages and predictable for a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

Public debate also paints the picture of a public conversation where many people debate across newspapers, TV and social media so the topic is talked about everywhere. That's why public debate can mean a wide, ongoing 'discussion' among the public and the media.