In case you weren’t clear on the definition.

Mainly because the debates we witness now aren’t formal, nor do they represent much of the actual definition.

de·bate
dəˈbāt/
noun
1.
a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward.
synonyms: discussion, discourse, parley, dialogue; More

verb
verb: debate; 3rd person present: debates; past tense: debated; past participle: debated; gerund or present participle: debating
1.
argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner.
“the board debated his proposal”
synonyms: discuss, talk over/through, talk about, thrash out, hash out, argue,