What does contention mean?
Word: Contention
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Contention means an opinion that someone argues for, or a state of disagreement and argument. To be in contention means to have a real chance of winning.
Synonyms: argument, dispute, claim
Antonyms: agreement
How do you spell contention?
Syllables: con - ten - tion
Tricky part: The shun sound at the end is spelt -tion, as in station and lotion. Contension is a very common slip.
Watch out for: contension, contenshun, contencion
Memory tip: Think of a debate as a competition: contention and competition both end in t-i-o-n.
Idioms and Phrases
- a bone of contention: A subject that people keep arguing about. Example: "The last slice of pizza became a bone of contention between the twins."
Contention in a sentence
Example 1: The new rule about school uniforms caused a lot of contention among the parents.
Example 2: It is my contention that homework should be lighter on Fridays.
Example 3: Three runners were still in contention as they entered the last lap.
Fun Fact
The bone in a bone of contention comes from the picture of two dogs tugging at one bone, each wanting it for itself.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Champ
Choose the correct word for the blank:
A team that still has a real chance of winning is said to be in ________.
a) attention
b) intention
c) contention
d) invention
Show answer
c) contention. Attention, invention and intention are real words, but only being in contention means you can still win.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. contention 2. modest 3. vacant a. humble b. disagreement c. empty
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
d) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
Show answer
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c. A contention is a disagreement, a modest person is humble, and a vacant seat is empty.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) pronounciation
b) ambition
c) tradition
d) contention
Show answer
a) pronounciation. Pronunciation drops the o of pronounce; contention, tradition and ambition are correct.
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
cont__tion
a) en
b) in
c) ain
d) an
Show answer
a) en. The middle beat is ten, with an e: con-ten-tion.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is most likely to be a matter of contention in a family?
a) what the date is today on the calendar
b) who gets the front seat in the car
c) how many legs a pet cat has
d) which way the sun rises each day
Show answer
b) who gets the front seat in the car
2. Halfway through the season, a team is out of contention. What does this mean?
a) it has just won the title
b) it has a new captain
c) it is top of the table
d) it can no longer win the title
Show answer
d) it can no longer win the title
