Definition of "Contend" :

verb: maintain or assert

"He contended that Communism had no future."

verb: have an argument about something

verb: to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

verb: compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others

verb: be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

"Militant groups are contending for control of the country."

verb: succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available