/kən'tenʃn; kən`tɛnʃən/
n
1 [U] ~ (for sth/to do sth) contending (contend 1); competition 争夺; 竞争
*two teams in contention for the title/to win the title, ie competing for it 争夺冠军的两个队.
2 [U] contending (contend 2); angry disagreement 争辩; 争论; 争吵
*This is not a time for contention. 这不是争论的时候.
3 [C] ~ (that...) assertion made in an argument （辩论时提出的）论点
*It is my contention that... 我的论点是....
4 (idm 习语) a bone of contention => bone.

n
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin:Latin contentio, from contendere; CONTEND]
[C]formal
a strong opinion that someone expresses
sb's contention that
　Her main contention is that doctors should do more to encourage healthy eating.
[U]formal
argument and disagreement between people
source/area/point of contention
　The issue of subsidies is a source of contention in Europe.
→bone of contentionatbone¹ (5)
in contention
having a chance of winning something
　A goal from Hodge kept England in contention .
out of contention
no longer having a chance of winning something
　Injury has put him out of contention for the title.