con ‧ ten ‧ tion /kənˈtenʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin contentio , from contendere ; ⇨ ↑ contend ]
1 . [countable] formal a strong opinion that someone expresses
sb’s contention that
Her main contention is that doctors should do more to encourage healthy eating.
2 . [uncountable] formal argument and disagreement between people
source/area/point of contention
The issue of hunting is a source of contention.
⇨ bone of contention at ↑ bone 1 (5)
3 . in contention having a chance of winning something:
Owen’s goal kept England in contention.
4 . out of contention no longer having a chance of winning something:
Injury has put him out of contention for the title.
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THESAURUS
▪ claim a statement that something is true, even though it has not been proved:
It is difficult to believe some of the manufacturer's claims for its products.
▪ allegation a statement that someone has done something wrong or illegal, but that has not been proved:
He has strongly denied the allegations of sexual harassment.
▪ assertion formal something that you say or write that you strongly believe:
the assertion that house prices are falling
▪ contention formal a strong opinion that someone expresses:
Her main contention is that doctors should do more to encourage healthy eating.