Definitions for contend
kənˈtɛndcon·tend

Princeton's WordNet(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. contend, postulate(verb)

   maintain or assert

   "He contended that Communism had no future"

2. argue, contend, debate, fence(verb)

   have an argument about something

3. contest, contend, repugn(verb)

   to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

   "They contested the outcome of the race"

4. cope, get by, make out, make do, contend, grapple, deal, manage(verb)

   come to terms with

   "We got by on just a gallon of gas"; "They made do on half a loaf of bread every day"

5. compete, vie, contend(verb)

   compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others

6. contend, fight, struggle(verb)

   be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

   "the tribesmen fought each other"; "Siblings are always fighting"; "Militant groups are contending for control of the country"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. contend(Verb)

   to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight.

   For never two such kingdoms did contend without much fall of blood.

   Etymology: From contendere, from com- + tendere; see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.

2. contend(Verb)

   to struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend.

   You sit above, and see vain men below contend for what you only can bestow.

   Etymology: From contendere, from com- + tendere; see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.

3. contend(Verb)

   to strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue.

   The question which our author would contend for - many things he fiercely contended about were trivial.

   Etymology: From contendere, from com- + tendere; see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Contend(verb)

   to strive in opposition; to contest; to dispute; to vie; to quarrel; to fight

2. Contend(verb)

   to struggle or exert one's self to obtain or retain possession of, or to defend

3. Contend(verb)

   to strive in debate; to engage in discussion; to dispute; to argue

4. Contend(verb)

   to struggle for; to contest

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Contend

   kon-tend′, v.i. to strive: to struggle in emulation or in opposition: to dispute or debate (with against, for, with, about): to urge one's course.—ns. Contend′ent, Contend′er, one who contends.—p.adj. Contend′ing, striving.—n. Conten′tion, a violent straining after any object: strife: debate.—adj. Conten′tious, quarrelsome.—adv. Conten′tiously.—n. Conten′tiousness. [L. contendĕre, -tentum—con, with, tendĕre, to stretch.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. contend

   To have the capacity to manage.

   They received the news and our family said we would support them as they had a lot to contend with.

   Submitted by MaryC on August 2, 2016  

How to pronounce contend?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say contend in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of contend in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of contend in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of contend in a Sentence

1. Holly Richmond:

   Being an adult entertainer is as valid a career as being a lawyer, so this was something she chose to do to put herself through school. I would hope that she wouldn’t have to contend with that very much — it’s just a different choice.

2. Ryan Blaney:

   It definitely was a good weekend after the start of the year we had, a good day, the day we needed. Weve been poised to have days like this and contend for wins and it just hasnt happened this year. This is what we deserve.

3. Justin Rose:

   I didn't have my 'A' game this week, and to contend in a major with no game, really, I take the positive from that, i worked really hard to be in this situation with my game this week. Obviously didn't quite have it early, but did a brilliant job of hanging around.

4. Marquis de Sade, Justine:

   Will it not be felt that Virtue, however beautiful, becomes the worst of all attitudes when it is found too feeble to contend with Vice...

5. Francis Bacon:

   Histories make men wise poets, witty the mathematics, subtle natural philosophy, deep moral, grave logic and rhetoric, able to contend.

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