lean-to

1 of 2

noun

ˈlēn-ˌtü 

plural lean-tos ˈlēn-ˌtüz 

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1649, in the meaning defined above

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