tent

1 of 3

noun

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
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 adjective
tentlike 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

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The company’s minimal-footprint temporary camp provides eight private, heated tent cabins. AFAR Media, 14 July 2025 Just remember, tents do not offer protection from lightning. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2025
Verb
The Naya Create’s unique hinged split design means each half of the keyboard can be independently adjusted by up to 27 degrees of tenting. Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Your ticket includes 10 vouchers redeemable for 4-ounce pours, one Coca-Cola products voucher, a DJ spinning tunes, tented food vendors and some surprises. Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tent

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tent was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tent. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

tent

1 of 2 noun
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
: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration

More from Merriam-Webster on tent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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