tenet

noun

te·​net ˈte-nət How to pronounce tenet (audio)
 also  ˈtē-nət
: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true
especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession

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Tenet holds a centuries-long tenure in the English language, but its hometown is Latin. In that language, tenet is a form of the verb tenēre ("to hold") and means "s/he holds." Tenet was borrowed into English around 1600, probably because of use of the word in Latin writings to introduce text giving a principle or doctrine held by a person or group, such as a particular church or sect. The word’s English use today seems clearly linked: "a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true, and especially one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession." Note that the similar-sounding word tenant is also from tenēre; it arrived in the 1300s and typically refers today to someone who rents or leases a house, apartment, etc., from a landlord. (Be careful not to use tenant where you want tenet.) Tenure is a tenēre descendant too.

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Tenets vs. Tenants

Thanks to its confusingly similar pronunciation, tenant (“occupant, land-holder”) is sometimes erroneously used in place of tenet (“principle, doctrine”). Consider this example:

One of the ancient tenants of the Buddist [sic] belief is, “He who sits still, wins” –Police, January/February 1968

You will probably never make the opposite mistake (that is, substitute tenet for tenant), but if you think you might, remember that tenant and occupant both end in -ant.

Examples of tenet in a Sentence

the central tenets of a religion one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry
Recent Examples on the Web To continue to support hospitality workers and community members in need, a tenet of the Top 10 program, Free Press staffers swiftly assembled the Top 10 Cares program, raising nearly $500,000 for struggling restaurants working to feed frontline healthcare workers. Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 The goal from the get-go was never to create a one-to-one recreation, so what was that driving tenet? Diego Ramos Bechara, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024 The Ten Commandments are fundamental religious tenets in Christianity and Judaism that include edicts not to murder, steal or commit adultery, as well as to have no other gods and to keep the Sabbath holy. The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024 Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World demonstrates the power of food and a particular community; however, every tenet of the film details ideas and themes that affect everyone. Kristin L. Wolfe, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2024 But what’s unexpected is the mind-boggling precision and craftsmanship—those tenets of traditional watchmaking—that were pulled out to recreate this historic timepiece. Ming Liu, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Leopard print is another key tenet of the 'mob wife' style. Yola Mzizi, CNN, 1 Feb. 2024 The bishops urged radical change: Grant priestly powers to married men, breaking with the bedrock tenet of clerical celibacy, and increase the reach of the cloth. Cheri Lucas Rowlands, Longreads, 17 Feb. 2024 But in many cases, the best way to build brand awareness is to focus on owned and earned media, two of the tenets of the PESO model. Dan Kahn, Forbes, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenet.' 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

borrowed from Latin, "(s/he) holds," 3rd person singular present tense of tenēre "to hold, possess" — more at tenant entry 1

Note: Probably from the use of tenet in Latin texts as the opening verb in the statement of a principle or doctrine held by the person or body in question; cf. tenent (Latin, "they hold") used in the 16th to 18th centuries in the same sense.

First Known Use

circa 1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenet was circa 1600

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Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

tenet

noun
te·​net ˈten-ət How to pronounce tenet (audio)
: a widely held belief
especially : one held in common by members of a group or profession

More from Merriam-Webster on tenet

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