How to pronounce contention
Say it like kun-TEN-shun. Contention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contention. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kun
- TEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contention pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of contention
American and British speakers say contention in essentially the same way: /kənˈtɛnʃən/ in the US and /kənˈtɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: kun-TEN-shun.
What does contention mean?
- 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”
- the act of competing as for profit or a prize“the teams were in fierce contention for first place”
Where does contention come from?
From Middle English contencion, borrowed from Old French contencion, from Latin contentio, contentionem, from contendō (past participle contentus); equivalent to contend + -tion (similar formation to attention).
Words that rhyme with contention
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of contention.
Questions about saying contention
How do you pronounce contention?
Say kun-TEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /kənˈtɛnʃən/. In British English it is /kənˈtɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contention?
Contention has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TEN). Broken into parts: kun · TEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say contention the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kənˈtɛnʃən/ and the British form is /kənˈtɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.