Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Strive \Strive\, v. i. [imp. {Strove}; p. p. {Striven}(Rarely,
   {Strove}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Striving}.] [OF. estriver; of
   Teutonic origin, and akin to G. streben, D. streven, Dan.
   str[ae]be, Sw. str["a]fva. Cf. {Strife}.]
   1. To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with
      earnestness; to labor hard.

            Was for this his ambition strove To equal C[ae]sar
            first, and after, Jove?               --Cowley.

   2. To struggle in opposition; to be in contention or dispute;
      to contend; to contest; -- followed by against or with
      before the person or thing opposed; as, strive against
      temptation; strive for the truth. --Chaucer.

            My Spirit shall not always strive with man. --Gen.
                                                  vi. 3.

            Why dost thou strive against him?     --Job xxxiii.
                                                  13.

            Now private pity strove with public hate, Reason
            with rage, and eloquence with fate.   --Denham.

   3. To vie; to compete; to be a rival. --Chaucer.

            [Not] that sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the
            inspired Castalian spring, might with this paradise
            Of Eden strive.                       --Milton.

   Syn: To contend; vie; struggle; endeavor; aim.

Striving \Striv"ing\,
   a. & n. from {Strive}. -- {Striv"ing*ly}, adv.

Source : WordNet®

striving
     n : an effortful attempt to attain a goal [syn: {nisus}, {pains},
          {strain}]