Con·test v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contested; p. pr. & vb. n. Contesting.]
  1. To make a subject of dispute, contention, litigation, or emulation; to contend for; to call in question; to controvert; to oppose; to dispute.
     The people . . . contested not what was done.   --Locke.
     Few philosophical aphorisms have been more frequenty repeated, few more contested than this.   --J. D. Morell.
  2. To strive earnestly to hold or maintain; to struggle to defend; as, the troops contested every inch of ground.
  3. Law To make a subject of litigation; to defend, as a suit; to dispute or resist; as a claim, by course of law; to controvert.
  To contest an election. Polit. (a) To strive to be elected. (b) To dispute the declared result of an election.
  Syn: -- To dispute; controvert; debate; litigate; oppose; argue; contend.