What does "dispute" mean?

1. (a disagreement) a serious argument or disagreement, especially one that lasts a long time. 2. (to question the truth) to say that a fact, statement, or result is not true or not correct. 3. (to fight for control) to fight for control of something, like a piece of land.

dispute

n. · v.

US //dɪˈspjut// UK //dɪspjˈuːt// dis·pute

1 a disagreement (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a serious argument or disagreement, especially one that lasts a long time.

a formal or public disagreement between parties, often involving legal, industrial, or territorial claims.

Example

The two neighbors are in a long dispute over where the fence should be.

Example

The labor dispute escalated when the union rejected the management's final offer, leading to a nationwide strike.
- agreement
- accord
2 to question the truth (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to say that a fact, statement, or result is not true or not correct.

to challenge the validity or accuracy of a statement, claim, or figure. Transitive — takes a direct object.

Example

The player decided to dispute the referee's decision during the game.

Example

The defense attorney sought to dispute the forensic evidence, arguing that the samples had been contaminated during transport.
- accept
- confirm

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3 to fight for control (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to fight for control of something, like a piece of land.

to compete for or strive to win something; often used regarding territory or power. Often used in the passive voice.

Example

The two armies disputed the small island for several months.

Example

The strategic mountain pass was fiercely disputed throughout the winter campaign, as both sides recognized its importance for the spring offensive.
- contest
- battle for
- surrender
- yield

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *dews-? Proto-Indo-European *dus- Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwi- Proto-Indo-European *dwóh₁ Proto-Indo-European *dwís Latin dis- Proto-Italic *putos Latin putus? Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin putō Latin disputo Old French desputerbor. Middle English disputen English dispute From Middle English disputen, from Old French desputer (French disputer), from Latin disputāre (“to dispute, discuss, examine, compute, estimate”), from dis- (“apart”) + putāre (“to reckon, consider, think, originally make clean, clear up”), related to purus (“pure”). Compare compute, count, impute, repute, amputate, etc.