tend

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈtend 

tended; tending; tends

intransitive verb

1

: to exhibit an inclination or tendency : conduce

tends to be optimistic

2

: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction

cannot tell where society is tending

tend

2 of 2

verb (2)

tended; tending; tends

intransitive verb

1

: to pay attention : apply oneself

tend to your own affairs

tend to our correspondence

2

: to act as an attendant : serve

tended to his wife

3

archaic : listen

4

obsolete : await

transitive verb

1

a

: to apply oneself to the care of : watch over

tended her sick father

b

: to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer

tend the sheep

c

: cultivate, foster

d

: to manage the operations of : mind

tend the store

tend the fire

2

: to stand by (something, such as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (such as fouling)

3

archaic : to attend as a servant

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• incline
• lean
• run
• trend

Verb (2)

• attend
• care (for)
• mind
• oversee
• superintend
• supervise
• watch

Examples of tend in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The earthquake struck about 47 miles southwest of Marrakesh and at a depth of about 11 miles, putting it in the category of a shallow earthquake, a type that tends to be more destructive. —Sarah Dadouch, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2023

That history made Chile a textbook case of Cold War anti-Communist machinations, but this perspective has tended to overshadow the ways in which Chile is also a study in resistance to autocracy. —Ruth Ben-Ghiat, The Atlantic, 11 Sep. 2023

With both teams out of the playoff mix, midweek games in September — after the start of the school year — tend to lose their luster. —Alex Speier, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2023

But on the whole, lively debate between the United States and Europe, even sharp disagreement, tends to produce better outcomes and creates a world that is more secure and prosperous. —Dominic Tierney, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2023

When the financial market is down, the price of gold tends to rise. —Laxmi Corp, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023

Other than Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada is largely made up of small towns and open space — and thanks to a myriad of mountain ranges, the elevation of the state tends to be high. —Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 Sep. 2023

Shipping tends to be a lot more difficult and expensive when the seas are teeming with mines. —John Gustavsson, National Review, 10 Sep. 2023

And women leaders tend to be younger than their male counterparts. —Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English tenden "to stretch, spread, direct oneself (to), incline toward," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French tendre "to stretch, hold out, offer, direct (one's course), go, aim (at)," going back to Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, direct (one's course), aim (at a purpose)" (Medieval Latin, "to lead toward, move in a particular direction") — more at tender entry 3

Verb (2)

Middle English tenden, shortened from attenden "to attend" or entenden, intenden "to intend"

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

Phrases Containing tend

• tend bar

• tend bar

Kids Definition

tend

1 of 2 verb

ˈtend 

1

: to pay attention

tend to business

2

a

: to take care of

b

: to help the growth or development of

tend the garden

3

: to have responsibility for as caretaker

tended sheep

4

: to manage the operation of or do the necessary work connected with

tend the fire

tend

2 of 2 verb

1

: to move or turn in a certain direction

the road tends to the right

2

: to be likely

a person who tends to slouch