debate

serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part:

Education is the current focus of public debate.

How we proceed from here is a matter for debate.

Over the year we have had several debates about future policy.

a competition in which teams of people, often students, discuss a subject and the team that is judged to make the best arguments wins:

The team won their Round 3 debate against Mitcham Girls High School.

The students were taking part in a debate contest.