Definition of contention in English:

contention

See synonyms for contention

Translate contention into Spanish

noun

1Heated disagreement.
‘the captured territory was one of the main areas of contention between the two countries’
- ‘Sea power's dominance, however, has been a point of contention among military historians.’
- ‘Another area of much contention is the desired level of channel control sought by the manufacturer.’
- ‘The basis for this contention among British doctors seems even more tenuous.’
- ‘A common area of contention is the time the new home will be complete.’
- ‘So the only area of contention is the area of where we are investigating behaviour that may be unlawful.’
- ‘One area of contention is whether a confession made by a co-defendant may be tendered by a defendant.’
- ‘But it's not hard to see why this funding bottom line is the main point of contention here.’
- ‘One of the main points of contention between the two sides was shift scheduling.’
- ‘This diversity is one of the main points of contention between astrologers themselves.’
- ‘One of the main points of contention is the executive compensation issue.’
- ‘The defendant disputes the claimant's contention that they failed in their duty to notify and consult.’
- ‘The appellants dispute this contention by reference to the principle as formulated by them.’
- ‘It plainly indicates that a controversy or contention has arisen between the parties.’
- ‘Ownership has long been a source of contention in the Irish newspaper industry.’
- ‘It has been the origin of a lot of discord and a lot of contention over consents.’
- ‘Last night he had put himself in medal contention in the decathlon.’
- ‘An e-voting system like this is an invitation for fraud, and sure to be a point of contention when the votes are counted.’
- ‘Roth says he was immediately drawn to the novel, which had a history of contention all its own.’
- ‘The pound in a pensioner's pocket or purse has become the latest point of contention for politicians.’
- ‘The absence of independent testing of milk has been a source of contention for years.’
disagreement, dispute, disputation, argument, variance
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2An assertion, especially one maintained in argument.
‘statistics bear out his contention that many runners are undertrained for this event’
- ‘I am not saying you do not have arguments against the contentions the applicant would wish to make.’
- ‘But to this point, the administration has offered few direct answers to the particular contentions of the critics.’
- ‘We say that if it is necessary, the second respondent in its argument has raised a contention.’
- ‘This event also paints a picture somewhat at odds with the respondent's contentions that the applicant had no significant input into Xavier's life.’
- ‘There are many, many arguments to consider and contentions to examine.’
- ‘Hence the contentions and the arguments of the plaintiff are weak and not legitimate.’
- ‘In view of their Lordships, however, such a contention is not maintainable.’
- ‘These contentions were borne out by my direct observation of the police handling of numerous disputes.’
- ‘There are, almost daily, reporters' observations, columnists' opinions and e-mail complaints that support my contentions.’
- ‘The statement and evidence of the defendant contains strong specific contentions that the prosecution is politically motivated.’
- ‘In our view there are two conclusive answers to these contentions.’
- ‘Their contentions are theoretical and ideological, not based on reality.’
- ‘It is my contention that she didn't really betray anyone, and that the real agents of betrayal in all of this are the media.’
- ‘Indeed, my contention is that everyone in his movies is completely real.’
- ‘It is my contention that the difference between a monarchy and a republic would be symbolic only.’
- ‘On teen pregnancy I have to say that official statistics do not support her contention.’
- ‘It is my contention that the two groups simply have radically different registers and types of interaction.’
- ‘It is not my contention that information must needs run on a parallel track to entertainment.’
- ‘I agree with her contention that the debate was a good thing for the party, as argued below.’
- ‘He repeated his earlier contention that the country has enough food to feed its people.’
argument, claim, plea, submission, allegation
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Pronunciation

contention

/kənˈten(t)SH(ə)n/ /kənˈtɛn(t)ʃ(ə)n/

Phrases

in contention

Having a good chance of success in a contest.
‘three penalties kept the team firmly in contention’
- ‘he was in contention for the batting title in September’
- ‘I have a lot more confidence that, if I just play my game, I'll have a chance to be in contention on the weekend.’
- ‘It was nice to get back there again and be in contention with a chance to win coming up the back nine on Sunday.’
- ‘So players who did not turn up for training with the County team ruled themselves out of contention.’
- ‘We were one of the smallest teams there that was in contention and we ended up fourth.’
- ‘The club has been running for three years and a number of the teams are now in contention for league titles.’
- ‘I wanted to test out trying to stay in contention for the whole race, rather than just going for individual stage wins.’
- ‘Will he get enough votes outside the town to keep him in the race and in contention for a seat?’
- ‘His team is out of contention, with virtually no hope of playing in the World Series.’
- ‘Both sides are very much in contention for a place in the semi-finals of the competition.’
- ‘If that nine holes had been successful and he'd got to remain in contention, he might well have had a good season.’
- ‘The true aim is to get back in contention, and for that to deliver a sense of contentment that is long overdue.’
- ‘You know, I'm sure this year we'll have the equipment to be in contention of winning races.’
- ‘The blunder took him out of contention for the presidential nomination.’
- ‘A win here would be very useful and get us back into contention in the league.’
- ‘He's got to get his head down and fight his way back into contention.’
- ‘Serious questions remain as to the readiness, willingness and fitness to lead of those in main contention.’
- ‘He feels clearing that height at the Olympics is good enough to make the final and put him in medal contention.’
- ‘Players darted into contention and equally swiftly darted out again, but a precious few stayed with it until the end.’
- ‘If he could come in around 6,000 he will be in serious contention for the last seat.’
- ‘The day when those who have made the cut try to haul themselves into contention for the big prizes.’

out of contention

Not having a good chance of success in a contest.
‘she has finally admitted that the team is out of contention’
- ‘he is out of contention for the starting rotation’