tent

1 of 3

noun

1
: a collapsible shelter of fabric (such as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building
2
3
a
: something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter
especially : a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen being medically administered
b
: the web of a tent caterpillar
tentless adjective
tentlike adjective

tent

2 of 3

verb (1)

tented; tenting; tents

intransitive verb

1
: to reside for the time being : lodge
2
: to live in a tent

transitive verb

1
: to cover with or as if with a tent
2
: to lodge in tents

tent

3 of 3

verb (2)

tented; tenting; tents

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland
: to attend to

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The magic happens in a black tent with perfect lighting where the dish is going to be placed. Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 The day starts and ends with one of Texas’ spectacular sunrises and sunsets — best viewed from the wrap-around deck enveloping each of the property’s 22 safari tents. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 More than two hours before the first pitch, a line wound around the MLB merchandise tent as staff let fans inside in groups to prevent crowding in the store. Brad Lendon and Gawon Bae, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024 Her office said San Francisco has had a 37% reduction in tents citywide in the last six months and that in 2023, the police department doubled the number of arrests for drug dealing in the Tenderloin. Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 Its safari-style tents come fixed with hot bucket showers, private drop-loos, and soft linen bedding, while sundown cocktails and candlelit dinners add a dash of romance. Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024 The city rented out entire hotels to house some of the tens of thousands of migrants who came to New York City last year and also put cots in schools and temporarily housed people in tents, a cruise ship terminal and a former police academy building. Mike Schneider, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Artisan tents are expected to pop up in the area featuring local small businesses and others. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 That means setting up a dozen medical tents on the plaza and organizing iftar dinners after sunset to celebrate the end of the daily fast for tens of thousands of worshipers. Sufian Taha, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
Overlooking the backyard, a furnished covered patio can be used year-round, while 5,000 square feet of terracing includes an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, swimming pool, and tented cabana that’s complete with a television. Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024 Standalone tented suites as well as a two-bedroom villa sit in perfect harmony with the valley, while rafting and kayaking await beyond. Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2024 Held in place by clothespins, the covers can be suspended from roof gutters and tented over tender plants close to the house. Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 Bake coffee cake: Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes, tenting with foil after 35 minutes if needed to prevent excessive browning. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2023 If the skin begins to darken too much, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil. Sean Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023 Its bumper was almost fully detached; its hood was tented; some of its airbags had deployed. WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023 Pour the filling into the crust and bake on the lowest rack until set, 40 to 45 minutes, tenting with foil if the top or crust get too dark. Genevieve Ko, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023 Continue roasting until skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thigh but not touching the bone registers 165°, 1 hour to 1½ hours longer, tenting with foil as needed to prevent overbrowning. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 13 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tent, tente "collapsible shelter of animal skins or fabric used by nomads, shelter, dwelling," borrowed from Anglo-French tente, going back to Vulgar Latin *tenta, noun derivative from feminine of Latin tentus, tensus, past participle of tendere "to extend outward, stretch" (or from Vulgar Latin *tendita, re-formation of the participle) — more at tender entry 3

Verb (1)

derivative of tent entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English tenten "to look after, see to, watch over," noun derivative of tent, tente "intention, purpose, heed," short for entente, intente intent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1608, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tent was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tent

Cite this Entry

“Tent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tent. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tent

1 of 2 noun
1
: a portable shelter (as of nylon) stretched and supported by poles
2
a
: something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter
especially : an enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to hold in oxygen or vapors given for medical reasons
an oxygen tent
b
: the web of a tent caterpillar

tent

2 of 2 verb
1
: to live in a tent
2
: to cover with or as if with a tent

Medical Definition

tent

noun
: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration

More from Merriam-Webster on tent

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