tent

1 of 2

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

2 of 2

verb (2)

tented; tenting; tents

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: to attend to

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Located within Zambezi National Park, the property has tented suites, treehouse suites, and villas, and amenities include private decks and plunge pools, air conditioning, and indoor and outdoor showers. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026

Bake in preheated oven until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbling around edges, about 25 to 30 minutes, tenting with foil if needed. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 16 May 2026

Transfer the steaks to a serving platter and tent with foil. —Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026

For those who prefer tenting with a partner, Tentsile is simultaneously launching an Organza-bodied Air version of its two-person Flite tree tent. —New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

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