Meaning
- Contention means a strong disagreement, argument, or conflict between people.
- It can also mean a point or claim made in an argument.
Grammar and Usage
- Part of speech: noun
- Structure: in contention / point of contention / contention that + clause
- Often used in debates, legal discussions, and competitive contexts.
Examples of usage in structure:
- "a point of contention" (source of disagreement)
- "in contention for the prize" (competing for something)
- "the contention that climate change is real" (a claim or assertion)
Common Phrases
- Point of contention
- Main contention
- In contention for
- Beyond contention
Collocations
- Verb + Contention: cause contention, spark contention, settle contention
- Adjective + Contention: major contention, central contention, heated contention
- Contention + Clause: contention that…
Examples
- The main point of contention was how to divide the profits.
- There is still contention over the new policy.
- His contention that the law is unfair gained support.
- She is in contention for the first prize.
- The debate caused much contention among the participants.
- They tried to resolve the contention peacefully.
- It was his contention that the project could succeed without extra funding.
- The issue remains a point of contention between the two countries.
Synonyms or Related
- Dispute
- Argument
- Conflict
- Debate
- Assertion
- Claim
