debut

1 of 2

noun

de·​but ˈdā-ˌbyü How to pronounce debut (audio)
dā-ˈbyü
variants or less commonly début
1
: a first appearance
made her singing debut
the writer's debut novel
2
: a formal entrance into society
in honor of their daughter's debut

debut

2 of 2

verb

debuted; debuting; debuts

intransitive verb

: to make a first appearance or a formal entrance into society : to make a debut

transitive verb

: to present to the public for the first time : introduce
debut a new product

Examples of debut in a Sentence

Noun my debut as a pianist He made his singing debut at a very young age. She is making her television debut. Verb The singer debuted 10 years ago, at the age of 15. The car debuted 30 years ago. The computer will soon be debuting in stores across the country. The network debuts a new sitcom tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
That’s a string of seven consecutive flops — each with paltry single-digit debuts — in the nine weeks between early August and mid-October. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024 In the biggest debut since SoftBank’s mobile unit in 2018. Ian Mount, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
For example, the Korean company will pay $600 for the Apple iPhone 6, which debuted 10 years ago. Janhoi McGregor, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 These capital projects will be worked on simultaneously and in stages, with some aspects ready for Kentucky Derby 2026 and others debuting ahead of the Run for the Roses in 2027 and 2028. Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for debut 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'debut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

French début, from débuter to begin, from Middle French desbuter to play first, from des- de- + but starting point, goal — more at butt entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1830, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of debut was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near debut

Cite this Entry

“Debut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/debut. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

debut

1 of 2 noun
1
: a first public appearance
my debut as a pianist
2
: a formal entrance into society

debut

2 of 2 verb
1
: to make a debut
2
: to present to society for the first time
debut a new product

More from Merriam-Webster on debut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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