The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Striving \Striv"ing\,
   a. & n. from Strive. -- Striv"ing*ly, adv.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
   straebe, Sw. str[aum]fva. Cf. Strife.]
   1. To make efforts; to use exertions; to endeavor with
      earnestness; to labor hard.
      [1913 Webster]

            Was for this his ambition strove
            To equal Caesar first, and after, Jove? --Cowley.
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   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.
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            My Spirit shall not always strive with man. --Gen.
                                                  vi. 3.
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            Why dost thou strive against him?     --Job xxxiii.
                                                  13.
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            Now private pity strove with public hate,
            Reason with rage, and eloquence with fate. --Denham.
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   3. To vie; to compete; to be a rival. --Chaucer.
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            [Not] that sweet grove
            Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired
            Castalian spring, might with this paradise
            Of Eden strive.                       --Milton.
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   Syn: To contend; vie; struggle; endeavor; aim.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

striving
    n 1: an effortful attempt to attain a goal [syn: striving,
         nisus, pains, strain]