/prɪ'tenʃn; prɪ`tɛnʃən/
n
1 [C usu pl 通常作复数] ~ (to sth/doing sth) (making of a) claim 声称; 自命; 主张; 要求; 权利
*a poet with serious pretensions to literary greatness 完全有资格称作文学泰斗的诗人
* He has/makes no pretensions to being an expert on the subject. 他并不以这方面的专家自居.
* (derog 贬) His social pretensions (ie behaving as if he was of a higher class) make him appear ridiculous. 他冒充上流社会人士而出尽洋相.
2 [U] being pretentious 自负; 狂妄; 炫耀; 标榜
*Readers may find the pretension and arrogance of her style irritating. 读者可以感觉到她文章中的狂妄自负令人反感.

n [>C usually plural, U]
an attempt to seem more important, more intelligent, or of a higher class than you really are
pretension to
　Lilith resented Adam's pretensions to superiority.
　the humbleness and lack of pretension of Jordan's cafe
a claim to be or do something
pretension(s) to be sth
　The group don't have any pretensions to be pop stars.
pretension to
　a large village with pretensions to the status of a small town