Definition of "conflict" []

• A state of open, often prolonged fighting; a battle or war. (noun)
• A state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical persons, ideas, or interests; a clash. (noun)
• Psychology A psychic struggle, often unconscious, resulting from the opposition or simultaneous functioning of mutually exclusive impulses, desires, or tendencies. (noun)
• Opposition between characters or forces in a work of drama or fiction, especially opposition that motivates or shapes the action of the plot. (noun)
• To be in or come into opposition; differ. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "For a century the German rule was nominal, but with the outbreak of the conflict in the eleventh century between king and pope over the question of which one should invest the bishops with their authority (known as the _investiture conflict_, 1075-1122), Pope Gregory"
• "Has anyone ever heard of the term "conflict of interest?""
• "The belief that competition and character are in conflict is a myth perpetuated by people who prefer shortcuts over hard work."