English Explanatory Dictionary

contention

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Argument, contest, debate, strife, struggle.
  2. A point maintained in an argument, or a line of argument taken in its support; the subject matter of discussion of strife; a position taken or contended for.
  3. Competition by parts of a system or its users for a limited resource.

Pronunciation

/kənˈtɛnʃən/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-contention.wav

Word forms

contention contentions

Etymology

From Middle English contencion, borrowed from Old French contencion, from Latin contentio, contentionem, from contendō (past participle contentus); equivalent to contend + -tion (similar formation to attention).

Synonyms

gainstrife gainstriving wrangling

Related words

contend contender contentious contentiousness

Derived words

bone of contention contentional contention system in contention noncontention point of contention resource contention
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