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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To drive their points home, King and hundreds of demonstrators — some say as many as 4,000 — camped out in the vacant lot in tents and makeshift huts and lean-tos. Danny Mcdonald, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Mar. 2023
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 29 May. 2023.

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
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