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Dispute Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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