Contestation is a noun that refers to controversy or debate.

The Latin word contestari (con test TAR ay) means ‘to call upon a witness.’ It later evolved into a number of English words like ‘contest.’ Our word of the day is often used in formal settings to describe a process of disputing or arguing.

When debating over their borders, the two nations engaged in several years of contestation. Once the controversy had ended, they managed somehow to avoid a war.