Debut

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdÉ›bjuː/, /ˈdeɪbjuː/
• US IPA: /deɪˈbjuː/, /deɪˈβjuː/

Alternative forms

• début

Origin

From French début, from Middle French, derivative of débuter ("to move, begin"), from dé- + but ("mark, goal"), from Old French but ("aim, goal, end, target"), from Old French butte ("mound, knoll, target"), from Frankish *but ("stump, log"), or from Old Norse bútr ("log, stump, butt"); both from Proto-Germanic *butą ("end, piece"), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeud- ("to beat, push"). Cognate with Old English butt ("tree stump"). More at butt.

Full definition of debut

Noun

1. A performer's first-time performance to the public.Since making its debut two years ago, the program has gained cult status.
• 2011, April 11, Phil McNulty, Liverpool 3 - 0 Man City, Liverpool's performance - despite a defensive injury crisis that saw a promising debut for teenage academy graduate John Flanagan - was a resounding advert for Kenny Dalglish to be given the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Verb

1. (transitive, chiefly US) to formally introduce, as to the publicAmalgamated Software Systems debuted release 3.2 in Spring of 2004.
2. (intransitive) to make one's initial formal appearanceRelease 3.2 debuted to mixed reviews in Spring of 2004.

Related terms

• debutant
• debutante

Anagrams

• tubed