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dispute

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Definition of dispute

noun

Pronunciation: /dɪˈspjuːt, ˈdɪspjuːt/
  • a disagreement or argument:a territorial dispute between the two countries [mass noun]:the Commission is in dispute with the government
  • a disagreement between management and employees that leads to industrial action:an industrial dispute

verb

Pronunciation: /dɪˈspjuːt/
[with object]
  • 1argue about (something):the point has been much disputed [no object]:he taught and disputed with local poets
  • question whether (a statement or alleged fact) is true or valid:the accusations are not disputed [with clause]:the estate disputes that it is responsible for the embankment
  • 2compete for; strive to win:the two drivers crashed while disputing the lead
  • archaic resist (a landing or advance):I formed my line and prepared to dispute the advance of the foe

Phrases

beyond (or without) dispute

certain or certainly:the main part of his argument was beyond dispute

open to dispute

not definitely decided: such estimates are always open to dispute

Derivatives

disputant

Pronunciation: /-ˈspjuːt(ə)nt/
noun

disputer

noun

Origin:

Middle English: via Old French from Latin disputare 'to estimate' (in late Latin 'to dispute'), from dis- 'apart' + putare 'reckon'

dispute in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of dispute in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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