A debate in which a number of speakers compete to win the approval of an audience, who are invited to imagine that the speakers are flying in a sinking hot-air balloon, and someone must be thrown out if everyone is not to die.

(archaic) third-person singular simple present indicative form of debate

(archaic) second-person singular simple present form of debate

arguably; debatably

(rare, informal) Inclined to or characterised by debate.

(informal, US politics) A 1980s political scandal affecting the administration of Ronald Reagan, where Reagan's team somehow acquired President Jimmy Carter's briefing papers for a debate with Reagan.