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Added 9 October 2026

contention

/kənˈtɛnʃən/ noun

Latin root: contentio Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contention at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A point asserted as part of an argument.
A contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement.
they were involved in a violent argument
The act of competing as for profit or a prize.
the teams were in fierce contention for first place

Origin

From Middle English contencion, borrowed from Old French contencion, from Latin contentio, contentionem, from contendō (past participle contentus); equivalent to contend + -tion (similar formation to attention).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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