Main Entry:

con·tend

Pronunciation:

\kən-ˈtend\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere, from com- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

Date:

15th century

intransitive verb 1 : to strive or vie in contest or rivalry or against difficulties : struggle 2 : to strive in debate : argue transitive verb 1 : maintain, assert <contended that he was right> 2 : to struggle for : contest