bone of contention: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Informal (common in both contexts)
Quick answer
What does “bone of contention” mean?
A subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement or conflict.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement or conflict.
A point of persistent dispute that causes tension between parties, often preventing agreement on other matters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; both use the idiom identically.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties, describing a factual state of disagreement.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in formal/political writing, but widely used in both.
Grammar
How to Use “bone of contention” in a Sentence
[issue] is a bone of contention between [parties][issue] has become a bone of contentionThe bone of contention is [specific issue]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bone of contention” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The planning permission continues to bone of contention between the council and residents.
American English
- Healthcare funding bones of contention in every budget debate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Budget allocations have become a bone of contention between the marketing and R&D departments.
Academic
The interpretation of this medieval text remains a bone of contention among scholars.
Everyday
Where to go on holiday was the main bone of contention in our family this year.
Technical
The implementation timeline became a bone of contention during the software development meeting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bone of contention”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bone of contention”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bone of contention”
- Using as countable plural without article ('bones of contention' is correct but 'bone of contentions' is wrong)
- Confusing with 'bone to pick' (which is about having a grievance with someone).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'bones of contention' is correct when referring to multiple disputed issues.
It's neutral and appropriate for both formal writing and casual conversation.
'Bone of contention' refers to the disputed issue itself, while 'bone to pick' means having a specific grievance with someone.
Yes, it can refer to physical objects (like property) or abstract issues (like policies or interpretations).
A subject or issue over which there is ongoing disagreement or conflict.
Bone of contention: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbəʊn əv kənˈtenʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌboʊn əv kənˈtenʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “apple of discord”
- “sticking point”
- “thorny issue”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two dogs fighting over a single bone - that bone represents the issue everyone is arguing about.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISAGREEMENT IS PHYSICAL STRUGGLE (contending/fighting over an object)
Practice
Quiz
Which situation best describes 'a bone of contention'?