WordGarden.iocontention
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /kəntˈɛnʃən/
US
- /kənˈtɛnʃən/
Meanings
Noun
disagreement or dispute, especially when ongoing or heated
a claim or position that someone argues is true
the state of competing for a prize, title, or position
More meaningsFewer meanings
competition among processes or systems for the same limited resource
Beyond the definition
Contention isn't just about arguing; it's a strong disagreement, often heated and long-lasting. Think of two stubborn mules refusing to move—that's contention! It can be a clash of opinions, like a political debate, or a struggle for something valuable, like power. It can also mean the main point someone is trying to prove in an argument; for example, a scientist's main contention might be that a specific theory is flawed. Whether it's a family in contention over holiday plans or an athlete in contention for a gold medal, the word suggests people keep pushing to win or prove they're right.
Contention refers to a heated disagreement or struggle between two or more parties. It is stronger than a simple difference of opinion, implying active opposition and often involving strong emotions. For example: "The land dispute led to years of legal contention." This suggests the argument over ownership was long and difficult.
The word is also common in debate and formal writing, where it refers to an assertion or claim. In this context, your "contention" is the point you are defending against another view (for example, "Her contention is that the policy will fail"). You may also hear "point of contention" or "bone of contention" for the particular issue people keep fighting about. And the phrase "in contention" is a staple in sports and other competitions, describing someone who still has a real chance to win a prize or position.
The word originates from the Latin contentio, meaning "striving" or "struggle." This root highlights the active nature of the word; it is not a passive disagreement, but an active pushing back or a race toward a goal.
You will often encounter contention in academic or public settings, such as "scholarly contention" over a historical event's interpretation, or public contention over how to spend tax money. Whether it is a public dispute, an intellectual claim, or a race for a title, contention signals a clash of wills and a persistent drive toward resolution or victory.
Examples
- 1
Family finances
Money is still a point of contention between my parents.
- Phrasepoint of contention
something people often disagree about
- 2
Budget dispute
There was a lot of contention over the final budget.
- Patterncontention over + issue
disagreement about it
- 3
Formal claim
Her main contention is that the data was collected unfairly.
- Usagecontention is that ...
a formal way to state someone's claim or argument
- 4
Border dispute
For years, the border remained a source of contention between the two countries.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Title race
After three straight wins, the team is back in contention for the title.
- Patternin contention for + prize/position
still able to win or get it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- point of contention
- bone of contention
- source of contention
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- contentionnoun
Forms
- contentionspluralnoun