dis·course
ˈdi-ˌskȯrs 
di-ˈskȯrs
1
: verbal interchange of ideas
especially
: conversation
2
a
: formal and orderly and usually extended expression of thought on a subject
b
: connected speech or writing
c
: a linguistic unit (such as a conversation or a story) larger than a sentence
3
: a mode of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experience that is rooted in language and its concrete contexts (such as history or institutions)
critical discourse
4
archaic
: the capacity of orderly thought or procedure : rationality
5
obsolete
: social familiarity
Synonyms
Examples of discourse in a Sentence
Noun
Hans Selye, a Czech physician and biochemist at the University of Montreal, took these ideas further, introducing the term "stress" (borrowed from metallurgy) to describe the way trauma caused overactivity of the adrenal gland, and with it a disruption of bodily equilibrium. In the most extreme case, Selye argued, stress could wear down the body's adaptation mechanisms, resulting in death. His narrative fit well into the cultural discourse of the cold-war era, where, Harrington writes, many saw themselves as "broken by modern life."
—
Jerome Groopman, New York Times Book Review, 27 Jan. 2008
Such is the exquisite refinement of American political discourse in the early 21st century.
—Brad Friedman, Mother Jones, January & February 2006
Literature records itself, shows how its records might be broken, and how the assumptions of a given discourse or culture might thereby be challenged. Shakespeare is, again, the great example.
—Richard Poirier, Raritan Reading, 1990
He likes to engage in lively discourse with his visitors.
She delivered an entertaining discourse on the current state of the film industry.
Verb
The most energetic ingredients in a Ken Burns documentary are the intervals of commentary, the talking heads of historians, sociologists, and critics coming at us in living color and discoursing volubly.
—Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 22 Feb. 2002
Clarke had discoursed knowledgeably on the implications of temperature for apples; it was too cool here for … Winesaps, or Granny Smiths, none of which mature promptly enough to beat autumn's first freeze.
—David Guterson, Harper's, October 1999
… Bill Clinton was up in the sky-box suites, giving interviews. So The Baltimore Sun's guy on the job was Carl Cannon and he took notes while Clinton discoursed on the importance of Ripken's streak, the value of hard work, the lessons communicated to our youth in a nation troubled by blah blah blah.
—Richard Ben Cramer, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 1999
She could discourse for hours on almost any subject.
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Jerome Groopman, New York Times Book Review, 27 Jan. 2008
Such is the exquisite refinement of American political discourse in the early 21st century.
—Brad Friedman, Mother Jones, January & February 2006
Literature records itself, shows how its records might be broken, and how the assumptions of a given discourse or culture might thereby be challenged. Shakespeare is, again, the great example.
—Richard Poirier, Raritan Reading, 1990
He likes to engage in lively discourse with his visitors.
She delivered an entertaining discourse on the current state of the film industry.
Verb
The most energetic ingredients in a Ken Burns documentary are the intervals of commentary, the talking heads of historians, sociologists, and critics coming at us in living color and discoursing volubly.
—Richard Alleva, Commonweal, 22 Feb. 2002
Clarke had discoursed knowledgeably on the implications of temperature for apples; it was too cool here for … Winesaps, or Granny Smiths, none of which mature promptly enough to beat autumn's first freeze.
—David Guterson, Harper's, October 1999
… Bill Clinton was up in the sky-box suites, giving interviews. So The Baltimore Sun's guy on the job was Carl Cannon and he took notes while Clinton discoursed on the importance of Ripken's streak, the value of hard work, the lessons communicated to our youth in a nation troubled by blah blah blah.
—Richard Ben Cramer, Newsweek, 22 Mar. 1999
She could discourse for hours on almost any subject.
the guest lecturer discoursed at some length on the long-term results of the war
Recent Examples on the Web
Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
The essence of Brat and its total discourse domination both online and offline is also reflected in the words Collins shortlisted for Word of the Year.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024
Kiss or no kiss, Glen Powell is just happy fans care enough about Twisters to start discourse online.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discourse 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
The World Series might be over, but one moment from Game 4 is still fueling discourse.
—Felecia Wellington Radel, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024
The essence of Brat and its total discourse domination both online and offline is also reflected in the words Collins shortlisted for Word of the Year.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
But by Obama’s second term in office, discourse about the importance of representation in media had intensified, and the show came under fire in 2013 for not featuring a Black woman cast member in five years.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 20 Aug. 2024
Kiss or no kiss, Glen Powell is just happy fans care enough about Twisters to start discourse online.
—Carly Thomas, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for discourse
Dictionary Entries Near discourse
Cite this Entry
“Discourse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourse. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
discourse
1 of 2 noun
dis·course
ˈdis-ˌkō(ə)rs
-ˌkȯ(ə)rs,
dis-ˈ
1
2
: a long talk or composition about a subject
discourse
2 of 2 verb
dis·course
dis-ˈkō(ə)rs
-ˈkȯ(ə)rs
-ˈkȯ(ə)rs
ˈdis-ˌ
discoursed; discoursing
: to talk especially for a long time
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