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

Turnover in China’s interbank lending market was 21% higher in the fourth quarter than a year earlier. — Nathaniel Taplin, WSJ, "China Risks Real Hard Landing This Time," 23 Jan. 2019 The hotel has also quickly risen to become one of the most coveted wedding destinations on the East Coast; its trademark cheery yellow facade and beachfront real estate lend itself to particularly stunning photos. — Ariel Okin, Vogue, "8 Romantic Winter Weekend Getaways From New York City," 29 Dec. 2018 Toptier brands such as Hermès, Dior, and Louis Vuitton continue to build monumental flagships, lending weight to the argument that while the foot traffic here might not yet match the District’s rivals, the shoppers are not short of a dime. — Horacio Silva, Town & Country, "A Guide to Miami's Chicest Shopping Districts," 30 Nov. 2018 But the constitutional questions that Kavanaugh would help resolve on the Court are so well-rehearsed that there will be a ritualistic quality to the debate that lends itself to a simple partisan outcome. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Kavanaugh’s SCOTUS Confirmation Is in the GOP’s Hands," 10 July 2018 During this process, ask your mortgage broker to get a pre-approval letter, for the amount that your financial institution will lend you. — Dottie Herman, Time, "Everything You Need to Know About Buying Your First Home," 3 July 2018 Deutsche Bank was, notably, the only important financial institution that would work with Trump after his bankruptcies in the 1990s, lending him over $1 billion. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "Trump’s relationship with Justice Kennedy sounds shady in this new report.," 29 June 2018 The banks, for example, showed scant signs of being stressed by lending to consumers or companies. — Telis Demos, WSJ, "Bank Investors Look Beyond Trading Revenue to Deliver Strong Gains," 20 Jan. 2019 Alan is a creator who has not only lent his name to his singular territories but also resides in them. — Alejandro Jodorowsky, ELLE Decor, "A Conversation Between Hotelier Alan Faena and Filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky," 14 Nov. 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

8 Feb 2019

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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