noun
discourse
DIHS-kaws
noun
1
Serious conversation or communication, spoken or written, on a particular subject.
"The book examines the political discourse of the 1960s."
"Public discourse around the issue has become increasingly polarized."
verb
1
To speak or write at length about a subject.
"He discoursed for an hour on the history of the region."
How to Use Discourse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSerious, sustained talk or writing about a topic, especially in public or academic life.
When to use it
Fairly formal — used in academic, political, and media contexts more than everyday chat.
Common pairings
public discourse
political discourse
discourse on
Word Forms
discoursed past tense, discourses plural, discourses singular
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The book examines the political _____ of the 1960s.
Etymology
From Latin discursus, "the act of running about," from discurrere ("to run to and fro") — the sense shifted from "running around" to "talking around a topic."