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

Theater owners urged studio executives at CinemaCon to put more films in theaters — and not just big-budget tent poles timed for summer movie season and holiday weekends. —Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Surrounding the auditorium is a large tent community, where families come in the summer to live in canvas tents connected to side-by-side cabins. —Sarah Pulliam Bailey, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

Larger parties of up to seven may be better suited to the Cadillac Mountain Suite, which connects several suite and deluxe tents via a large private deck space. —Erinne Magee, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2024

Amazing Amphibians, 1 p.m. at Prophetstown State Park: Visit a park naturalist at the pop-up tent at the far east end parking lot near the fishing pond to learn about the park’s amphibians. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Apr. 2024

Bear in mind, a tent does not protect you from lightning. —Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Apr. 2024

After his death, a tent set up for mourners to gather on Monday in Baqa al-Gharbiyye was stormed by Israeli police, according to a statement from the Palestinian Prisoners Society and CNN video. —Kareem Khadder, CNN, 9 Apr. 2024

Plus, each waterproof tent is large enough to accommodate multiple kids. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 8 Apr. 2024

Transitional living situations can include families living in vehicles, hotels, tents or at campgrounds, said Brittni Helms, the district's lead social worker. —Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 3 Apr. 2024

Verb

How to serve leg of lamb Transfer the meat to a cutting board and loosely tent a piece of aluminum foil over it. —Lucinda Scala Quinn, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024

Overlooking the backyard, a furnished covered patio can be used year-round, while 5,000 square feet of terracing includes an outdoor kitchen, fire pit, swimming pool, and tented cabana that’s complete with a television. —Mark David, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2024

Standalone tented suites as well as a two-bedroom villa sit in perfect harmony with the valley, while rafting and kayaking await beyond. —Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Feb. 2024

Held in place by clothespins, the covers can be suspended from roof gutters and tented over tender plants close to the house. —Debbie Arrington, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024

Bake coffee cake: Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 55 minutes, tenting with foil after 35 minutes if needed to prevent excessive browning. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2023

If the skin begins to darken too much, tent the turkey loosely with aluminum foil. —Sean Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023

Its bumper was almost fully detached; its hood was tented; some of its airbags had deployed. —WIRED, 17 Nov. 2023

Pour the filling into the crust and bake on the lowest rack until set, 40 to 45 minutes, tenting with foil if the top or crust get too dark. —Genevieve Ko, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Nov. 2023

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

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

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