verb
contend
kuhn-TEHND
verb
1
To compete or struggle against someone or something.
"Two runners were left to contend for the gold medal."
2
To argue firmly that something is true.
"Lawyers for the defense contend that the evidence was mishandled."
How to Use Contend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo compete for something, or to argue strongly that something is the case.
Common pairings
contend with
contend for the title
contend that
Word Forms
contended past tense, contends singular
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Etymology
From Old French contendre, from Latin contendere, "to stretch out, strive" — con- ("together") + tendere ("to stretch"), related to "tend," "extend," and "intend."