lean-to

1 of 2

noun

plural lean-tos ˈlēn-ˌtüz How to pronounce lean-to (audio)
1
: a wing or extension of a building having a lean-to roof
2
: a rough shed or shelter with a lean-to roof

lean-to

2 of 2

adjective

: having only one slope or pitch
a lean-to roof
see roof illustration

Examples of lean-to in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
History buffs probably won’t be the only ones fascinated as the movie slows down to show how Crockett constructs a lean-to shelter in the wilderness while recovering from his injuries, and later manages to coax a wild horse to become his replacement mount. Joe Leydon, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 The effect, when the glass doors are fully open, is that of a luxurious lean-to. Tim McKeough, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2024 Lean-to sheds feature one sloping roof; because of their design, the back of lean-to sheds can be attached to existing structures, such as a garage, to save on building costs. Adrienne Jordan, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2024 The sheriff said at the time that personal belongings, including survival books and tarps, were found at the scene, as well as a lean-to built from local logs over a firepit. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023 Set back beneath a lean-to roof are a bath and areas for prep and storage. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Aug. 2023 For The Boston Globe Officials estimate that there are about 140 people on the street today and about 35 structures — traditional camping tents, lean-tos made of tarps, and other ramshackle forms of shelter. Danny McDonald, BostonGlobe.com, 2 July 2023 Thatch the lean-to with slabs of bark or leafy or pine-needle branches, weaving them into the framework. Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023 Diallo climbed a ladder to reach some hay bales on the roof of a ramshackle lean-to under which three goats, their fleeces the color of old snow, were huddled next to a flock of pigeons. Caitlin L. Chandler, Harper's Magazine, 8 Nov. 2022
Adjective
No one quite knows how—imagine trying to arrange several Volvos in a lean-to shape in a time before the wheel—or why. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lean-to was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near lean-to

Cite this Entry

“Lean-to.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lean-to. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

lean-to

1 of 2 noun
ˈlēn-ˌtü
plural lean-tos
1
: a wing of a building having a lean-to roof
2
: a rough shed or shelter having a lean-to roof

lean-to

2 of 2 adjective
: having only one slope or pitch
lean-to roof

More from Merriam-Webster on lean-to

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!