contention
/kənˈtenʃən/noun
1
- mass noun heated disagreement争论; 争辩; 争执：
the captured territory was one of the main areas of contention between the two countries
这块被占领土是两国纠纷的主要原因之一
count noun a long-standing contention among geographers.地理学者之间长期存在的争论。
2
- count noun an assertion, especially one maintained in argument（尤指争论中所持的）论点：
they dispute the contention that changes in interest rates directly affect the price level.
他们就利率变化直接影响价格水平这一论点争辩不休。
短语
in contention
- having a good chance of success in a contest在竞争中很有可能获胜。
词源
late Middle English: from Latin contentio（n-）, from contendere 'strive with' （see CONTEND）.