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n. 1. The act or an instance of striving in controversy or debate: "Amid all the hand-wringing and contention about whether what the bees do is really 'language,' no one seems to question whether it's really 'dance'" (Marlene Zuk). See Synonyms at conflict. 2. a. A striving to win in competition; rivalry: The teams met in fierce contention for first place. b. A condition in which winning a competition is possible: Six teams are in contention to win the gold medal. 3. An assertion put forward in argument: It is my contention that they are lying. [Middle English contencioun, from Old French contention, from Latin contentiō, contentiōn-, from contentus, past participle of contendere, to contend; see CONTEND.] |
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