Struggle or compete (7)
I believe the answer is:
contend
This clue is a double definition.
'struggle' is the first definition.
(I know that struggle can be written as contend)
'compete' is the second definition.
(I know that compete can be written as contend)
(Other definitions for contend that I've seen before include "Maintain" , "Struggle; assert" , "fight" , "Struggle in rivalry" , "Engage in a struggle" .)