Competition at the start of invitational performing the process of rowing? (12)
I believe the answer is:
contestation
'process of rowing?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'competition at the start of invitational performing' is the wordplay.
'competition' becomes 'contest' (contest is a kind of competition).
'the start of' indicates taking the first letters.
'performing' becomes 'on' (as in being on stage).
The initial letter of 'invitational' is 'i'.
'contest'+'at'+'i'+'on'='CONTESTATION'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for contestation that I've seen is " generates controversy".)