tended; tending; tends
2
: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction
cannot tell where society is tending
tended; tending; tends
1
: to pay attention : apply oneself
tend to your own affairs
tend to our correspondence
2
: to act as an attendant : serve
tended to his wife
3
archaic
: listen
4
obsolete
: await
1
2
: to stand by (something, such as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (such as fouling)
3
archaic
: to attend as a servant
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
Examples of tend in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
The concentration of these white blood cells related to immune function tends to decrease with age.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
There was a lengthy break in the action when someone in the audience appeared to require medical assistance and the Jonas Brothers paused the concert, leaving the stage for several minutes while security tended to the person.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Compared to ultrasonic models, evaporative humidifiers tend to cost less up front, though that balances out with the long-term upkeep cost of replacing filters.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024
McLaren is reportedly a bit less selective than, say, Ferrari, in who gets to buy its cars, but those with the money and interest tend to be a self-selecting group anyway.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
By Judy Berman April 5, 2024 1:11 PM EDT
History tends to be naughtier than the standard textbook lets on, and television has noticed.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
In real life, the comedy of coexistence tends to sparkle less.
—Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Officers had been called shortly after 5 a.m. to find Ramirez being tended to by a family member.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
Verb
The former president hasn’t made a similar push to change Maine’s electoral college system, which tends to benefit Republican presidential candidates.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 7 Apr. 2024
The concentration of these white blood cells related to immune function tends to decrease with age.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024
There was a lengthy break in the action when someone in the audience appeared to require medical assistance and the Jonas Brothers paused the concert, leaving the stage for several minutes while security tended to the person.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 7 Apr. 2024
Compared to ultrasonic models, evaporative humidifiers tend to cost less up front, though that balances out with the long-term upkeep cost of replacing filters.
—Paige Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2024
McLaren is reportedly a bit less selective than, say, Ferrari, in who gets to buy its cars, but those with the money and interest tend to be a self-selecting group anyway.
—Sean Evans, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
By Judy Berman April 5, 2024 1:11 PM EDT
History tends to be naughtier than the standard textbook lets on, and television has noticed.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
In real life, the comedy of coexistence tends to sparkle less.
—Wesley Morris Ron Butler Emma Kehlbeck Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Officers had been called shortly after 5 a.m. to find Ramirez being tended to by a family member.
—Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tend.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Dictionary Entries Near tend
Cite this Entry
“Tend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tend. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tend
1 of 2 verb1
: to pay attention
tend to business
2
a
: to take care of
b
: to help the growth or development of
tend the garden
3
: to have responsibility for as caretaker
tended sheep
4
: to manage the operation of or do the necessary work connected with
tend the fire
tend
2 of 2 verb1
: to move or turn in a certain direction
the road tends to the right
2
: to be likely
a person who tends to slouch
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