是contend的名词，例如：

1.Three armed groups were contending for power.三个武装集团在争夺权力。

2.Nurses often have to contend with violent or drunken patients.护士经常不得不对付粗暴的或喝醉酒的病人。

3.I would contend that the minister's thinking is flawed on this point.我倒认为部长的想法在这一点上有漏洞。

contention 意思是"争论/争吵"，它是动词" contend"的名词形式。