tentpole

noun

tent·​pole ˈtent-ˌpōl 

: a big-budget movie whose earnings are expected to compensate the studio for its less profitable movies

Examples of tentpole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amidst the Super Bowl festivities, the Bay emphasized its tech might with a new Innovation Summit, which could become an annual tentpole. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Days later and thousands of miles away, the Disney executives got an additional glimpse of what might be in store when surveying the scene at the international premiere of the Thanksgiving tentpole at Shanghai Disneyland, where a Zootopia-land attraction has become the driving force of attendance. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Mar. 2026

For many, the light rail system will be the easiest way to connect those two tentpoles of Houston's soccer summer. —Peter Warren, Houston Chronicle, 26 Feb. 2026

International series and films continue to play a key local role, with tentpoles Wicked, A Minecraft Movie and Stranger Things remaining popular. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tentpole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol