The meaning of the word "slut" — and who is and who is not one — was at the centre of debate in the first hearing of the defamation case brought by Labor MP Emma Husar against news site BuzzFeed.

Key points: Ms Husar is suing the news website over articles it published alleging harrasement, misconduct and lewd sexual behaviour

Ms Husar is suing the news website over articles it published alleging harrasement, misconduct and lewd sexual behaviour The first preliminary hearing focused on arguments, specifically on the meaning of a "slut"

The first preliminary hearing focused on arguments, specifically on the meaning of a "slut" The case will be back in court in February

Ms Husar, 38, the federal member for Lindsay, is suing BuzzFeed and reporter Alice Workman for defamation relating to articles which aired allegations by staff against her of harassment and misconduct, including lewd sexual behaviour.

An internal Labor Party investigation upheld claims of unreasonable management but dismissed those about sexual misconduct and harassment.

In the first preliminary hearing in the Federal Court in Sydney on Friday, barrister Tim Senior, appearing for BuzzFeed, attempted to dismiss one of Ms Husar's claims: that the articles implied she was a slut who boasts about who she has sex with.

The argument led to a lengthy debate between Mr Senior and Justice Steven Rares about the meaning of the word "slut" and whether the article implied that Ms Husar was, in fact, a "slut".

Mr Senior argued that BuzzFeed had not used the word "slut" in the article.

Mr Senior also argued the articles were dealing with complaints from staff members about her alleged conduct at work, not her alleged behaviour in her own time.

"The vice in that conduct is that it's occurring in the workplace and she's talking about people she's slept with who [were known to staff]," Mr Senior argued.

News website BuzzFeed's Sydney office ( ABC: Jamie Cummins )

But Justice Rares, who labelled BuzzFeed a "fairly salacious publication", was not convinced over the argument on the potential meanings in the article.

"[The article contains allegations she] potentially exposed herself in front of another politician, wouldn't that suggest she was behaving in a sluttish way?" Justice Rares said.

"I think that's what it's conveying, that not only is she a slut, but she boasts about it.

"It seems to me to be eminently capable of conveying that."

"We say it doesn't go that far," the defence lawyer replied.

After deliberation, Justice Rares decided not to dismiss the claim by Ms Husar. The matter will be back in court next year for another preliminary hearing in February.

Buzzfeed may now have to prove the allegation — that Ms Husar is a "slut" who boasts about who she sleeps with — is true, or use a more technical defence such as qualified privilege.

Qualified privilege — which is difficult to prove — requires the media publication's defence team to convince the court it acted reasonably and in the public interest.

Ms Husar, who was present in the court, declined to speak on the case.

"It is now before the court it would be entirely inappropriate for me to comment," she said after the proceedings.