Main Entry: ¹pre·ten·sion

Pronunciation: \pri-ˈten(t)-shən\

Function: noun

Date: 15th century

1 : an allegation of doubtful value : pretext
2 : a claim or an effort to establish a claim
3 : a claim or right to attention or honor because of merit
4 : an aspiration or intention that may or may not reach fulfillment <has serious literary pretensions>
5 : vanity, pretentiousness

synonyms see ambition

— pre·ten·sion·less \-ləs\ adjective