contention

American  

[kuhn-ten-shuhn] / kənˈtɛn ʃən /

noun

1. a struggling together in opposition; strife.

   Synonyms:

   combat, conflict

2. a striving in rivalry; competition; contest.

3. strife in debate; dispute; controversy.

   Synonyms:

   altercation, debate, dissension, disagreement

   Antonyms:

   agreement

4. a point contended for or affirmed in controversy.

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contention British  

/ kənˈtɛnʃən /

noun

1. a struggling between opponents; competition

2. dispute in an argument (esp in the phrase bone of contention )

3. a point asserted in argument

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contention Idioms  

1. see bone of contention.

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Other Word Forms

• contentional adjective
• noncontention noun
• precontention noun

Etymology

Origin of contention

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contentiōn-, stem of contentiō; from content(us) “competed, striven” (past participle of contendere “to compete, strive, draw tight”; see contend) + -iō -ion

Explanation

There is nothing "content," or satisfying, about being in contention, and that's probably because the word contention means being in a competition that only one side can win. "And in this corner, the contender" is heard at most boxing matches to describe each of the fighters about to go into contention in the ring. Sometimes, though, a contention can be a battle of words or a struggle between two parties over a single point. The expression "bone of contention" describes a narrow object of disagreement that reaches the level of strife, or contention. For two hungry dogs, though, the bone of contention might be a serious matter.

Example Sentences

That is Citi’s contention as it starts coverage of AUB Group with a neutral call and a A$27.30/share price target.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

"Licensing, technology transfer and broader capacity building of your health system -- that remains a big point of contention," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

There’s nothing quite as dreary as a baseball team that takes itself out of contention before kids get out of school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

The National Assn. of Criminal Defense Lawyers relies on that contention in opposing geofence warrants.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Given clear sailing, neither horse could even get into contention.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Related Words

• allegation
• assertion
• belief
• claim
• discussion
• explanation
• hypothesis
• idea
• opinion
• plea
• position
• thesis