discussion
[noun]
Synonyms: talk, analysis, argument, conference, consultation, conversation, debate, deliberation, dialogue, discourse

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English Thesaurus: conversation, discussion, talk, chat, natter, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

di‧scus‧sion S2 W1 /dɪˈskʌʃən/ noun [uncountable and countable]

1. when you discuss something:
class discussions
the topics suggested for discussion
discussion of
the discussion of important issues
discussion about
high-level discussions about trade and commerce
discussion with
The embassy will continue discussions with the Chinese government.
We have had discussions about her legal situation.
under discussion (=being discussed)
The project is under discussion as a possible joint venture.

2. a piece of writing about a subject that considers different ideas or opinions about it
discussion of
the report’s discussion of the legislation

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

discussion
noun
ADJ. detailed, full, in-depth, lengthy, long They had a detailed discussion of the issues.
brief | considerable After considerable discussion, they decided to accept our offer.
initial, preliminary | further The plan was agreed without further discussion.
general, wide-ranging a wide-ranging discussion on women's rights
public | formal, informal After the lecture there will be an opportunity for informal discussion.
bilateral, group, one-to-one, round-table a series of bilateral discussions between Israel and neighbouring states Women were asked to take part in small group discussions.
candid, frank, open | animated, heated, intense, lively a heated discussion about politics
serious | reasoned | useful | inconclusive
VERB + DISCUSSION have, hold We had a long discussion about the plans for next year. The two governments are to hold discussions on the border issue.
enter into We are hoping to enter into discussions with leaders of the prison service.
be involved in, join in, participate in, take part in They refused to take part in the discussions.
generate, initiate, provoke, stimulate These latest findings have generated a lot of discussion of the moral issues involved.
set up ways of setting up discussions between children to explore each other's viewpoints
lead, open, start The discussion was led by the director of marketing. Who is going to start the discussion?
bring sth up for, come up for, open sth up for The issue should come up for discussion at the climate change conference. The topic must be opened up for general discussion.
open up We need to open up a discussion on the basic aspects of the theory.
confine I wish to confine the discussion to income taxation.
sum up Let us sum up the discussion so far.
break off, conclude, end The government has broken off discussions with the unions. We decided to end the discussion before it got out of hand.
defer, postpone | follow up Discussion should be followed up by a written report.
DISCUSSION + VERB take place Discussions have taken place between the two leaders.
centre on Discussion centred on the contribution different groups would make to the project.
break out, ensue An intense discussion broke out about the importance of intuition. Adam raised the issue of multimedia applications and much useful discussion ensued.
continue
DISCUSSION + NOUN group | document
PREP. for ~ the subject for discussion
during/in a/the ~ During our discussions we raised many issues that need deeper consideration.
in ~ with The company had been in discussion with companies in Austria, Italy and Greece.
under ~ Plans for a new bypass are still under discussion.
~ about/on a discussion about reform of the health service
~ as to Discussion continues as to the relative merits of the different schemes.
~ between discussions between management and union officials
~ of a discussion of the issues involved
~ with discussions with the government
PHRASES a basis for discussion We can use the draft document as a basis for discussion.
a forum for discussion The group provides a forum for the discussion of ideas.
the outcome of a discussion The outcome of the discussions is a decision to proceed with Phase 2 of the programme.
a subject/topic for/of discussion
 ⇒ Special page at MEETING

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

discussion
noun
BAD: He ran away from home after a discussion with his father.
GOOD: He ran away from home after an argument with his father.
BAD: They had a discussion and Dusty killed him.
GOOD: They had an argument and Dusty killed him.

Usage Note:
discussion = a talk about something, especially one which allows different points of view to be expressed: 'After further discussion, the government has decided to reject the American offer.'
argument = a quarrel or disagreement: 'The couple next door are always having arguments.' 'I hate arguments. They upset me.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

conversation noun [uncountable and countable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts:
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day.
Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.
He overheard our conversation about the children.
discussion noun [uncountable and countable] a conversation about something important:
There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.
The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do:
We had a long talk about our relationship.
chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation:
I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things:
Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true:
She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.
It’s all just gossip.
small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous:
We stood around making small talk about the weather.
banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other:
She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

discussion an occasion when you discuss something, or the process of discussing it:
After a long discussion, they decided to paint the room pale blue.
This led to a discussion of our favourite books.
There are several projects under discussion (=being discussed).
debate discussion of a particular subject that often continues for a long time, in which people express different opinions. Also used to mean a formal discussion of a subject, after which people vote for or against something:
There is a lot of debate about the safety of nuclear power.
The student union is holding a debate on immigration.
talks formal discussions between governments, organizations etc:
the Arab-Israeli peace talks
The next round of trade talks will be held in the spring.
Bilateral talks (=between two groups or countries)on refugees took place in November.
negotiations official discussions between two or more groups who are trying to agree on something:
The two sides have begun negotiations aimed at ending the dispute.
International negotiations on reducing sulphur dioxide emissions have ended without agreement.
conference a large formal meeting at which people from many places discuss their work or research, or important matters relating to their organization:
an international conference on nuclear physics
the Labour Party conference
consultation a formal discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions:
The govenment promised a full public consultation before a decision was made to build the airport.
The revised syllabus was devised after wide consultations with the teaching profession.
discuss to talk seriously about problems, ideas, or plans:
They met to discuss how the building should be designed.
She refuses to discuss the matter.
talk something over to discuss something with someone because it will affect them, especially someone close to you:
Before you accept the job, talk it over with your family.
You two need to sit down and talk things over.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲