a disagreement or argument about something important
"he had a dispute with his wife"
"there were irreconcilable differences"
"the familiar conflict between Republicans and Democrats"
coming into conflict with
"The two neighbors spent hours disputing over whose property line actually ran through the fence."
An argument or disagreement, a failure to agree.
"The neighbors argued for hours over who was responsible for trimming the overgrown hedge that blocked their driveway."
In plain English: A dispute is an argument where two people disagree about something and can't agree on the solution.
"The neighbors argued about who owns the fence, so they asked a judge to settle the dispute."
Usage: Use "dispute" as a noun to refer to a specific argument or disagreement between parties over a particular issue. It describes the conflict itself rather than the act of arguing.
to contend in argument; to argue against something maintained, upheld, or claimed, by another.
"The neighbors spent hours disputing who was responsible for the noise that kept them awake all night."
In plain English: To dispute something means to argue against it or say that it is not true.
"They will dispute the amount owed on their bill if they think it is wrong."
Usage: Use "dispute" when you actively argue against or question the validity of a claim, statement, or fact made by someone else. It implies a direct challenge where one party insists that what is being said is incorrect or untrue.
The word dispute comes from the Latin disputare, which combined a prefix meaning "apart" with a verb that originally meant to reckon or consider clearly. While it has always involved argumentation, its roots in words for thinking and computing show how English adopted this term to describe verbal debate.