How to pronounce debate
Say it like duh-BAYT. Debate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce debate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- BAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Debate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- BAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of debate
American and British speakers say debate in essentially the same way: /dəˈbeɪt/ in the US and /dɪˈbeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dih-BAYT.
What does debate mean?
- argue with one another“We debated the question of abortion”“John debated Mary”
- think about carefully; weigh“They considered the possibility of a strike”“Turn the proposal over in your mind”
- discuss the pros and cons of an issue
- a discussion in which reasons are advanced for and against some proposition or proposal“the argument over foreign aid goes on and on”
- the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)
Where does debate come from?
From Middle English debaten, from Old French debatre (“to fight, contend, debate, also literally to beat down”), from Romanic desbattere, from Latin dis- (“apart, in different directions”) + battuō (“to beat, to fence”).
Words that rhyme with debate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of debate.
Questions about saying debate
How do you pronounce debate?
Say duh-BAYT. The American pronunciation is /dəˈbeɪt/. In British English it is /dɪˈbeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in debate?
Debate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BAYT). Broken into parts: duh · BAYT.
Do Americans and Brits say debate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dəˈbeɪt/ and the British form is /dɪˈbeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.