discourse

[dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs, dis-kawrs, -kohrs]

noun

1. communication of thought by words; talk; conversation.

   earnest and intelligent discourse.

   Synonyms: parley, chat, dialogue, colloquy, discussion

2. a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.

3. Linguistics.,  any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.

verb (used without object)

discoursed, discoursing 

1. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.

2. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.

verb (used with object)

discoursed, discoursing 

1. to utter or give forth (musical sounds).

discourse

noun

1. verbal communication; talk; conversation

2. a formal treatment of a subject in speech or writing, such as a sermon or dissertation

3. a unit of text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence

4. archaic,  the ability to reason or the reasoning process

verb

1. (intr; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write (about) formally and extensively

2. (intr) to hold a discussion

3. archaic,  (tr) to give forth (music)

Other Word Forms

• discourser noun
• prediscourse noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English discours, from Medieval Latin discursus (spelling by influence of Middle English cours “course”), Late Latin: “conversation,” Latin: “a run back and forth,” noun use of past participle of discurrere “to run about,” from dis- dis- ¹ + currere “to run”

Word History and Origins

Origin of discourse¹

C14: from Medieval Latin discursus argument, from Latin: a running to and fro, from discurrere to run different ways, from _dis- ¹ + currere to run

Example Sentences

Johnson, a Columbia English professor, explores the role of the era’s horror movies in echoing and shaping feminist discourse, with an eye to how history rhymes in the post-Dobbs era.

From Los Angeles Times

These health developments mark a notable moment in the public lives of two figures who have shaped political and legal discourse over the past two decades.

From Salon

After The Hunt is likely to prompt similar discourse when it is released by Amazon later this year, and it could be seen as controversial for the ambiguity surrounding the student's testimony.

From BBC

In Shake It Off, she poked fun at the media's discourse: "I go on too many dates / But I can't make them stay / At least, that's what people say."

From BBC

Last year, Mayor Andy Gilman’s winning campaign called for civil discourse and open minds, but warned of “our over-dependence on tourism.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• communication 
• conversation 
• discussion 
• essay 
• lecture 
• monologue 
• rhetoric 
• speech 
• treatise