First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
contend
verb con·tend \kən-ˈtend\
: to argue or state (something) in a strong and definite way
: to compete with someone or for something : to compete with a good chance of winning
Full Definition of CONTEND
intransitive verb
2
: to strive in debate : argue
transitive verb
2
: to struggle for : contest
See contend defined for English-language learners
See contend defined for kids
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Origin of CONTEND
Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French contendre, from Latin contendere, from com- + tendere to stretch — more at thin
Rhymes with CONTEND
addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end
CONTEND Defined for Kids
contend
verb con·tend \kən-ˈtend\
con·tend·edcon·tend·ing
Definition of CONTEND for Kids
1
: compete <contend for a prize>
2
: to try hard to deal with <He has many problems to contend with.>
3
: to argue or state earnestly <She contends the test was unfair.>
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