contention: They generally tried to avoid subjects of contention between them.
debate: There has been a lot of debate among scholars about this.
disagreement: Congress and the President are still locked in disagreement over the proposals.
con|tu|sion /kəntjuː ʒ ə n, [AM ] -tuː -/ (contusions ) N‑COUNT A contusion is a bruise . [MEDICAL ]
co|nun|drum /kənʌ ndrəm/ (conundrums ) N‑COUNT A conundrum is a problem or puzzle which is difficult or impossible to solve. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …this theological conundrum of the existence of evil and suffering in a world created by a good God.
con|ur|ba|tion /kɒ nə r be I ʃ ə n/ (conurbations ) N‑COUNT A conurbation consists of a large city together with the smaller towns around it. [mainly BRIT , FORMAL ] □ …London and all the other major conurbations.
con|va|lesce /kɒ nvəle s/ (convalesces , convalescing , convalesced ) VERB If you are convalescing , you are resting and getting your health back after an illness or operation. [FORMAL ] □ [V ] After two weeks, I was allowed home, where I convalesced for three months. □ [V + from ] …those convalescing from illness or surgery.
con|va|les|cence /kɒ nvəle s ə ns/ N‑UNCOUNT Convalescence is the period or process of becoming healthy and well again after an illness or operation. [FORMAL ]
con|va|les|cent /kɒ nvəle s ə nt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Convalescent means relating to convalescence. [FORMAL ] □ …an officers' convalescent home.
con|vec|tion /kənve kʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Convection is the process by which heat travels through air, water, and other gases and liquids. [TECHNICAL ] □ …clouds which lift warm, moist air by convection high into the atmosphere.
con|ve c|tor heat|er (convector heaters ) N‑COUNT A convector heater is a heater that heats a room by means of hot air.
con|vene /kənviː n/ (convenes , convening , convened ) VERB If someone convenes a meeting or conference, they arrange for it to take place. You can also say that people convene or that a meeting convenes . [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Last August he convened a meeting of his closest advisers at Camp David. □ [V ] Senior officials convened in October in London.
con|ven|er /kənviː nə r / → see convenor
con|veni|ence /kənviː niəns/ (conveniences )
1 N‑UNCOUNT [with poss] If something is done for your convenience , it is done in a way that is useful or suitable for you. □ He was happy to make a detour for her convenience. □ [+ of ] …the need to put the rights of citizens above the convenience of elected officials. ● PHRASE If something is arranged to happen at your convenience , it happens at a time which is most suitable for you. [FORMAL ] □ Delivery times are arranged at your convenience.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe something as a convenience , you mean that it is very useful. □ Mail order is a convenience for buyers who are too busy to shop.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Conveniences are pieces of equipment designed to make your life easier. □ …an apartment with all the modern conveniences.
4 N‑COUNT A public convenience is a building containing toilets which is provided in a public place for anyone to use. [BRIT , FORMAL ] □ …the cubicles of a public convenience.
5 → see also convenient
con|ve ni|ence food N‑UNCOUNT Convenience food is frozen, dried, or canned food that can be heated and prepared very quickly and easily. □ I rely too much on convenience food.
con|ve ni|ence store (convenience stores ) N‑COUNT A convenience store is a shop which sells mainly food and which is usually open until late at night.
con|veni|ent /kənviː niənt/
1 ADJ If a way of doing something is convenient , it is easy, or very useful or suitable for a particular purpose. □ …a flexible and convenient way of paying for business expenses. □ The family thought it was more convenient to eat in the kitchen. ● con|veni|ence N‑UNCOUNT □ They may use a credit card for convenience. ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV [usu ADV with v] □ The body spray slips conveniently into your sports bag for freshening up after a game.
2 ADJ If you describe a place as convenient , you are pleased because it is near to where you are, or because you can reach another place from there quickly and easily. [APPROVAL ] □ [+ for ] The town is well placed for easy access to London and convenient for Heathrow Airport. □ Martin drove along until he found a convenient parking place. ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed, oft ADV after v] □ It was very conveniently situated just across the road from the City Reference Library.
3 ADJ A convenient time to do something, for example to meet someone, is a time when you are free to do it or would like to do it. □ [+ for ] Would this evening be convenient for you?
4 ADJ If you describe someone's attitudes or actions as convenient , you think they are only adopting those attitudes or performing those actions in order to avoid something difficult or unpleasant. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ We cannot make this minority a convenient excuse to turn our backs. □ It does seem a bit convenient, doesn't it? ● con|veni|ent|ly ADV □ They've conveniently forgotten the risk of heart disease. □ Conveniently, he had developed amnesia about that part of his life.
con|ven|or /kənviː nə r / (convenors ) also convener
1 N‑COUNT A convenor is a trade union official who organizes the union representatives at a particular factory. [BRIT ]
2 N‑COUNT A convenor is someone who convenes a meeting.