Entry Word: contend

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to engage in a contest <two traditional rivals contending for the championship> — see compete
2 to state (something) as a reason in support of or against something under consideration <contended that the senatorʼs considerable experience made him the best candidate> — see argue 1
3 to state as a fact usually forcefully <contended that he was wrong about practically everything> — see claim 1