contend

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To state firmly that something is true, especially in an argument.

   The professor contended that communism had no future.

2. 2
   verb

   To compete with others in order to win something.

   Three teams are contending for the championship this season.

3. 3
   verb

   To deal with a difficult problem or situation.

   Drivers had to contend with heavy snow on the mountain roads.

From Middle English contenden, borrowed from Old French contendre, from Latin contendere (“to stretch out, extend, strive after, contend”), from com- (“together”) + tendere (“to stretch”); see tend, and compare attend, extend, intend, subtend.

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