Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

Tendai

noun
Save Word
Ten·​dai | \ ˈten¦dī \
plural -s

Definition of Tendai

: a Japanese Buddhist sect founded in the 9th century a.d. by Dengyo Daishi that is the doctrinal equivalent of the Chinese T'ien T'ai sect

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Tendai

Japanese, from Chinese (Pekingese) t'ien1 t'ai2 t'ien t'ai, from T'ien1 T'ai2, mountain in Chekiang province, eastern China, where the doctrine was first formulated

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Tendai

Statistics for Tendai

Cite this Entry

“Tendai.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tendai. Accessed 26 May. 2020.

Comments on Tendai

What made you want to look up Tendai? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

homonymous

Listen to the pronunciation of homonymous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Obscure Shapes

  • a pile of three dimensional shapes in green
  • Something that is ooid is shaped like:
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games