formal, oral confrontation between two individuals, teams, or groups who present arguments (argument) to support opposing sides of a question, generally according to a set form or procedure.

In the House of Commons (Commons, House of) each bill presented is given three readings, each of which provides the opportunity and the occasion for a debate of the principle involved or of specific clauses. In the U.S. Congress a similar procedure is followed with a specific time limit set in the House for debating legislation. The Senate has no time limit and the general practice is to debate a measure until everyone has expressed a view before a vote is taken.

Formal debates, as held in schools, societies, or on radio or television, generally conform to the following procedures: the topic is stated as a positive resolution—for example, “Resolved: Strikes Should be Outlawed”; two teams, usually of two members each, argue for and against the resolution; each team receives equal time, a first period—usually 10 to 15 minutes for each speaker—to present its side and then a shorter period to rebut the opposing side; the order of speakers alternates by team, with the affirmative side initiating the argument and, as a rule, the negative side initiating the rebuttal; arguments take the form of contentions supported by evidence, and in the rebuttal, though new evidence may be introduced, no new contentions may be raised; a neutral moderator acts as chairman of the debate.

Because of limited time, formal debate does not allow thorough exploration of complex problems; rather, it is conceived as an exercise that may serve to sharpen forensic abilities and, like a chess match, provide intellectual entertainment for nonparticipants. Usually, in a well-conducted debate, speakers are either emotionally uncommitted or can preserve sufficient detachment to maintain a coolly academic approach.