tent

¹tent

noun \ˈtent\

Definition of TENT

1

: a collapsible shelter of fabric (as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building

2

: dwelling

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

— tent·less \ˈtent-ləs\ adjective

— tent·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of TENT

1. <a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception>

Origin of TENT

Middle English tente, from Anglo-French, from Latin tenta, feminine of tentus, past participle of tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to TENT

Synonyms

awning, ceiling, cover, roof, canopy

Related Words

dome, marquee, pavilion; arbor, bower, pergola; screen, shade, shelter, shield, sunshade, umbrella; canvas (also canvass), fly

Rhymes with TENT

bent, Brent, cent, dent, gent, Ghent, hent, Lent, pent, rent, scent, sent, spent, sprent, stent, Trent, vent

²tent

verb

Definition of TENT

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

First Known Use of TENT

circa 1608

³tent

transitive verb

Definition of TENT

chiefly Scottish

: to attend to

Origin of TENT

Middle English, from tent attention, short for attent, from Anglo-French atente, from atendre to attend

First Known Use: 14th century

tent

noun \ˈtent\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TENT

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