lend

verb

\ˈlend

lent\ˈlent

\; lending

Definition of lend

transitive verb

1a(1) : to give for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent be returned lend me your pen

(2) : to put at another's temporary disposal lent us their services

b : to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest The bank lent him the money for home improvements.

2a : to give the assistance or support of : afford, furnish a dispassionate and scholarly manner which lends great force to his criticisms — The Times Literary Supplement (London)

b : to adapt or apply (oneself) readily : accommodate a topic that lends itself admirably to class discussion

intransitive verb

: to make a loan

Other Words from lend Synonyms & Antonyms Loan vs. Lend: Usage Guide More Example Sentences Learn More about lend

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Synonyms & Antonyms for lend

Synonyms

advance, loan

Antonyms

borrow

Loan vs. Lend: Usage Guide

The verb loan is one of the words English settlers brought to America and continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat later by the New England literati, who considered it a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870 by a popular commentator, who based his objection on etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection, but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had been picked up by many other commentators. Although a surprising number of critics still voice objections, loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used for figurative expressions, such as "lending a hand" or "lending enchantment."

Examples of lend in a Sentence

I lent our ladder to the neighbors. The bank wouldn't lend us the money. Many banks won't lend to people with bad credit. They are glad to lend their support to worthy causes.

Recent Examples on the Web

The look is precise thanks to the liner, but feels low-maintenance since the balm lends the combination a flexible texture. — Rachel Nussbaum, Glamour, "I Can't Stop Wearing Lip Liner With Lip Balm," 1 Nov. 2018 The bride also wore the Greville Emerald tiara, lent by her grandmother, which features a 93.70-carat emerald at its center and was made in 1919. — Hanna Howard, Teen Vogue, "Princess Eugenie’s Royal Wedding Recap," 12 Oct. 2018 Embassy staff from Colombia, Chile and Mexico working in Caracas either lent support or were willing to assist those carrying out the attack, Communications Minister Officials Jorge Rodriguez said. — Fox News, "Venezuela says diplomats may be tied to assassination try," 24 Sep. 2018 One scientist, Scott Nowicki, now works for a private company, but lent his expertise on the Mars Odyssey and Rover missions. — Jason Harper, Condé Nast Traveler, "On the Hunt for Dinosaur Bones in the Gobi Desert," 20 July 2018 Bright outdoor lights can outshine fireflies’ tiny lanterns, interfering with mating behavior, so lend fireflies a hand by flipping off the switch at night. — Rebecca Straus, Good Housekeeping, "5 Ways to Attract Fireflies to Your Yard," 19 July 2018 The slight tannin that comes from contact with the skins lends some structure, whereas the high acidity cuts through the richness of those fuller dishes. — Kristin Tice Studeman, Vogue, "The Best Wine for Every Thanksgiving Scenario," 19 Nov. 2018 So far, there is little inkling of anything in the works nearly ambitious enough: Hence the apparent resort to lending targets imposed from above. — Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, "Chinese Banks: We’ll Never Grow Up, Not Us," 13 Nov. 2018 But the role getting all the attention is his most recent job as CEO of a global payday lending company. — Susan Haigh, The Seattle Times, "Payday loan job shadows exec’s run for Connecticut governor," 23 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

13 Dec 2018

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Time Traveler for lend

The first known use of lend was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for lend

lender

noun

Financial Definition of lender

What It Is

A lender is a creditor or any entity to which you owe money for services provided.

How It Works

If you borrow money from XYZ Bank, XYZ Bank becomes your lender. Lenders are creditors, but not all creditors are lenders. For example, utility companies, health clubs, phone companies and credit card issuers can all be creditors if you have contracts with them or if they have performed services for which you have not yet paid.

Some lenders are more senior than others. For example, if Company XYZ issues bonds, the bondholders are essentially lenders who are senior to Company XYZ's shareholders. This means that should Company XYZ go bankrupt, the bondholders are entitled to repayment before the shareholders are.

In many cases, companies have several different types of debt, and some of these lenders may be subordinate to others. Some lenders may even be unsecured, meaning that the company has not pledged any collateral.

Why It Matters

Lenders may sue to obtain access to accounts or other assets if the borrower has not paid. Lenders may also place liens on the borrower's assets, meaning that the borrower cannot sell the assets without paying the lender first. In addition, lenders could report the problem to a credit bureau, which may place the item on the borrower's credit report.

Source: Investing Answers

lend

verb