1. A subject, issue, or topic that causes heated debate, disagreement, or dispute among people
Healthcare reform remains a contentious matter in political discussions.
A reforma da saúde continua sendo um assunto contencioso nas discussões políticas.
2. A legal or formal dispute that is subject to argument and disagreement
The property boundary was a contentious matter between the two neighbors.
A divisa da propriedade era um assunto contencioso entre os dois vizinhos.