Debate advanced and divided catching stick (8)
I believe the answer is:
argument
'debate' is the definition.
('argument' can be a synonym of 'debate')
'advanced and divided catching stick' is the wordplay.
'advanced' becomes 'a'.
'and' says to put letters next to each other.
'divided' becomes 'rent' ('rent' can be similar in meaning to 'divided').
'catching' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'stick' becomes 'gum' (I've seen this before).
'rent' placed around 'gum' is 'rgument'.
'a'+'rgument'='ARGUMENT'
(Other definitions for argument that I've seen before include "Verbal dispute" , "Contentious debate" , "Altercation" , "Quarrel, row" , "Discussion - line of proof" .)