Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Latin
Origin: conflictus, from the past participle of confligere 'to strike together', from com- ( COM-) + fligere 'to strike'

conflict

1 noun
     
con‧flict1 S2 W2
1 [uncountable and countable] a state of disagreement or argument between people, groups, countries etc
conflict over
conflicts over wage settlements
conflict between
the conflict between tradition and innovation
in conflict (with somebody)
normal kids who are in conflict with their parents
political/social/industrial conflict
social and political conflict in the 1930s
the threat of industrial conflict in the coalfields
Marx points out the potential conflicts below the surface of society.
His views on the literal truth of the Bible brought him into conflict with other Christian leaders.
Doctors exercise considerable power and often come into conflict with politicians.
a lawyer specializing in conflict resolution
2 [uncountable and countable] fighting or a war
armed/military/violent conflict
For years the region has been torn apart by armed conflicts.
UN troops intervened to avert a threat of violent conflict.
3 [uncountable and countable] a situation in which you have to choose between two or more opposite needs, influences etc:
As women increasingly went out to work, the possibility of a conflict of loyalties became stronger.
conflict between
a conflict between the demands of one's work and one's family
in conflict (with something)
The principles of democracy are sometimes in conflict with political reality.
4 [uncountable and countable] a situation in which you have two opposite feelings about something:
a state of inner conflict
5 [countable] American English something that you have to do at the same time that someone wants you to do something else:
I've got a conflict on Friday. Can we make it Monday?
6

conflict of interest/interests

a) a situation in which you cannot do your job fairly because you will be affected by the decision you make:
There is a growing conflict of interest between her position as a politician and her business activities.
b) a situation in which different people want different things
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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