1 [I] contend with/against sb/sth to have to deal with a problem or a difficult situation 克服（难题或困难局面）: She's had a lot of problems to contend with. 她有很多难题要克服。

2 [T] (formal 正式) to say or argue that sth is true 断言；主张；辩白: The young man contended that he was innocent. 该青年男子声称自己是无辜的。

3 [I] contend (for sth) to compete against sb to win or gain sth 争夺；竞争: Two athletes are contending for first place. 两名运动员正在争夺第一名。