1. The main or most important argument, claim, or point of dispute in a discussion, debate, or legal case
The primary contention in the trial was whether the defendant had intent to commit the crime.
A contenda principal no julgamento era se o réu tinha intenção de cometer o crime.
2. A central assertion or thesis that someone argues for or defends
His primary contention is that climate change requires immediate global action.
Sua contenda principal é que a mudança climática requer ação global imediata.