ˈɑː(ɹ).ɡju.ɪŋ ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃən ˌkɑːmpəˈtɪʃən kənˈtɛnʃən ˈkɒntɹəˌvɜːsi ˈkɑntɹəˌvɝsi dɪsɛpˈteɪʃən dɪsˌpjuːˈteɪʃən ˈɹaɪ.vəl.ɹi the act of competing as for profit or a prize the teams were in fierce contention for first place a point asserted as part of an argument a contentious speech act; a dispute where there is strong disagreement they were involved in a violent argument