Dispute Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISPUTE

:

a disagreement or argument

[count]

• They could not settle their dispute.
• legal disputes
• There is a labor dispute between workers and management.
• The two farmers are involved in a land dispute.
• a domestic dispute [=an argument between people who live together]

— often + over or about

• There was a dispute [=_disagreement_] over/about what to do with the extra money.

[noncount]

• There is dispute [=_debate_] among scholars as to the source of the text. = The source of the text is a matter/subject of dispute among scholars.
• The matter/issue is still in dispute. [=people still disagree about it]
• The drug's effectiveness is beyond dispute. [=it is certain that the drug is effective]
• How it happened is open to dispute. [=people disagree about how it happened]

Britannica Dictionary definition of DISPUTE

1

[+ object]

:

to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal

• The lawyer disputed [=_challenged_] the witness's statement.
• You can dispute your bill if you believe it is inaccurate.
• She disputed the claim.
• These estimates are hotly/much disputed by scientists.
• No one ever disputed that it was the right decision.
• There is no disputing the drug's effectiveness. [=it is certain that the drug is effective]

2

:

to argue about (something)

[+ object]

• The source of the text has been disputed for centuries.
• We were disputing [=_debating_] whether we should call the police or look for the thief ourselves.

[no object]

• It's no use disputing [=(more commonly) _arguing_] with them.

3

[+ object]

formal

:

to fight in order to take control of (something)

• a part of the city where two drug gangs are disputing territory

• a disputed phone bill

• various disputed claims/questions

• the disputed territory/area/land