Definition of tent
1 : a collapsible shelter of fabric (such as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building
2 : dwelling
3a : something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter; especially : a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen being medically administeredb : the web of a tent caterpillar
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Examples of tent in a Sentence
a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception
Origin and Etymology of tent
Middle English tente, from Anglo-French, from Latin tenta, feminine of tentus, past participle of tendere to stretch — more at thin
First Known Use: 14th century
Circa 1608
First Known Use of tent
circa 1608
tent
Definition of tent
chiefly Scotland
transitive verb
: to attend to
Origin and Etymology of tent
Middle English, from tent attention, short for attent, from Anglo-French atente, from atendre to attend
First Known Use: 14th century
TENT Defined for English Language Learners
tent
playDefinition of tent for English Language Learners
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: a portable shelter that is used outdoors, is made of cloth (such as canvas or nylon), and is held up with poles and ropes
TENT Defined for Kids
tent
playDefinition of tent for Students
: a portable shelter (as of canvas) stretched and supported by poles
Word Root of tent
The Latin word tendere, meaning to “stretch” or “to spread,” and its form tentus give us the roots tend, tent, and tens. Words from the Latin tendere have something to do with stretching or spreading. A tent is a temporary shelter made from stretched out fabric. To distend is to stretch outward and swell in all directions. To extend is to stretch out. A tendon is a cord that connects a muscle to another muscle or to a bone and that stretches allowing a joint to bend. Something tense is stretched tight.
Medical Dictionary
tent
playMedical Definition of tent
: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration
Learn More about tent
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See words that rhyme with tent Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for tent Spanish Central: Translation of tent Nglish: Translation of tent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of tent for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tent
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