用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
They debated for over an hour on the merits of the different systems.他们就几种不同体制的优点辩论了一个多小时。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
Parliament will debate the question tomorrow.议会明天将辩论这个问题。
▲S+～+wh-to-v
While I was debating what to do the phone rang.正当我在考虑怎么办时电话铃响了。
They debated whether to accept the management's proposals.他们讨论是否接受资方的建议。

debate, argue, discuss, dispute
参见argue条。

［同义词］ n. controversy argument, discussion, dispute v. argue, contend, discuss, dispute
［反义词］ n. agreement
［词源］＜古法语debatre(讨论,辩论,争论)

debate用作名词可指在公共集会或议会中进行的正式“辩论,讨论”,也可指一般性的“辩论,讨论”。

After a long debate, the meeting approved the bill.经过长时间的辩论后,会议通过了此议案。
I opened the debate.我在辩论中首先发言。
They had long debates yesterday afternoon.他们昨天下午曾长时间辩论政治问题。
After much debate, the committee voted to close the school.经过长时间讨论后,委员会投票表决停办这所学校。