pretension Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a false or unsupportable quality
    pretense; pretence.
  2. noun the advancing of a claim
    • his pretension to the crown
    • the town still puts forward pretensions as a famous resort
  3. noun the quality of being pretentious (behaving or speaking in such a manner as to create a false appearance of great importance or worth)
    pretentiousness; largeness.

WordNet

Pre*ten"sion noun
Etymology
Cf. F. prétention. See Pretend, Tension.
Definitions
  1. The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of asserting right or title.
    The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion. Macaulay.
  2. A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.
    This was but an invention and pretension given out by the Spaniards. Bacon.
    Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions. L'Estrange.

Webster 1913