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 : arguetransitive verb 1 : maintain, assert <contended that he was right>
2 : to struggle for : contest