written or spoken communication or debate, a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing, a long and serious treatment or discussion of a subject in speech or writing

Formal and Informal Expressions of discourse

In different contexts, you can replace 'discourse' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'discussion, conversation, debate' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'talk, chat' is a commonplace synonym.

discourse: Explore its Definition & Usage

discourse Definition

1written or spoken communication or debate
2a formal discussion of a topic in speech or writing
3a long and serious treatment or discussion of a subject in speech or writing

Using discourse: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "discourse" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The discourse on climate change has become more urgent in recent years.
Example
The professor gave a discourse on the history of philosophy.
Example
The book provides a discourse on the nature of power and its effects on society.

discourse Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for discourse

Antonyms for discourse

Phrases with discourse

public discourse
the discussion and exchange of ideas and opinions in the public sphere
Example
The media plays an important role in shaping public discourse.
discourse analysis
the study of language use in texts and contexts, often with a focus on power relations and social structures
Example
Discourse analysis is a useful tool for understanding how language shapes our perceptions of reality.
discourse community
a group of people who share a common interest or profession and use a specialized language to communicate with each other
Example
The scientific community is a discourse community that uses technical jargon to communicate complex ideas.

Origins of discourse

from Latin 'discursus', meaning 'conversation'

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Summary: discourse in Brief

The term 'discourse' [ˈdɪskɔːs] refers to written or spoken communication, often in the form of a formal discussion or a long and serious treatment of a subject. It can be used to describe public discussions, such as the discourse on climate change, or academic discussions, such as a discourse on the history of philosophy. 'Discourse' also extends into specialized areas like discourse analysis and discourse communities.