noun

discussion

dih-SKUSH-un/dɪˈskʌʃn/

An examination of a topic through expressed ideas.

The three adults exchange ideas during their discussion of the model garden layout.

Three adults, an East Asian man, Latina woman and white woman, exchange ideas around a table with a model garden layout.

Etymology

disLatinapart

+cussLatinto shake

+ionLatinaction or process

A discussion was originally a shaking apart. This image seems to have shifted toward investigation or examination, then toward the exchange of arguments and ideas used to examine a subject.

In context

Town Meeting TV30:32

initially with an escalator which we've removed and now we're in conversation about just a commitment to the five percent annually any incremental increases after that would require an additional discussion and approval by the council

Winooski City Council - 11/15/2021

More examples

The report includes a discussion of rising housing costs.
The proposal is still under discussion.
Our weekly discussions help us understand different points of view.

Forms

discussion · discussions

discuss verb — To examine a topic by expressing ideas.

Similar words

conversation: Usually spoken and may lack a focused examination of a topic.
debate: Emphasizes opposing positions rather than a general exchange of ideas.
analysis: Emphasizes detailed examination and need not involve exchanging ideas.