tent

1 of 3

noun

ˈtent 

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

3

a

: 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 administered

b

: the web of a tent caterpillar

tentless

ˈtent-ləs 

adjective

tentlike

ˈtent-ˌlīk 

adjective

tent

2 of 3

verb (1)

tented; tenting; tents

intransitive verb

1

: to reside for the time being : lodge

2

: to live in a tent

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with a tent

2

: to lodge in tents

tent

3 of 3

verb (2)

tented; tenting; tents

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: to attend to

Synonyms

Noun

• awning
• canopy
• ceiling
• cover
• roof

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun

a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 June 2025

Neighborhoods don't want to see tents, trash, or derelict RVs, police are reluctant to arrest those who will return within hours, and prosecutors hesitate to prosecute those for whom the justice system has become a revolving door with few good outcomes. —Nuri Kino, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Verb

Bake in preheated oven until edges begin to bubble and top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes, tenting with aluminum foil as needed to prevent overbrowning. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 June 2025

Bake at 350°F until set and lightly browned on top, loosely tenting with aluminum foil halfway through cooking, 35 to 40 minutes. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tent, tente "collapsible shelter of animal skins or fabric used by nomads, shelter, dwelling," borrowed from Anglo-French tente, going back to Vulgar Latin *tenta, noun derivative from feminine of Latin tentus, tensus, past participle of tendere "to extend outward, stretch" (or from Vulgar Latin *tendita, re-formation of the participle) — more at tender entry 3

Verb (1)

derivative of tent entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English tenten "to look after, see to, watch over," noun derivative of tent, tente "intention, purpose, heed," short for entente, intente intent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1608, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tent

• bender tent
• forest tent caterpillar
• oxygen tent
• pitch a/the tent
• pup tent
• shelter tent
• tent caterpillar
• tent city
• tent peg
• tent stitch

Rhymes for tent

• bent
• blent
• cent
• ent
• fent
• lent
• meant
• pent
• rent
• rente
• scent
• sent

Kids Definition

tent

1 of 2 noun

ˈtent 

1

: a portable shelter (as of nylon) stretched and supported by poles

2

a

: something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter

especially : an enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to hold in oxygen or vapors given for medical reasons

an oxygen tent

b

: the web of a tent caterpillar

tent

2 of 2 verb

1

: to live in a tent

2

: to cover with or as if with a tent

Medical Definition

tent

noun

ˈtent 

: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration