tentpole

noun

tent·​pole ˈtent-ˌpōl How to pronounce tentpole (audio)
: 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
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Directed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story filmmaker Gareth Edwards from a script by original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the summer tentpole features an all-new ensemble cast anchored by Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey. Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 1 July 2025 The extravaganza’s tentpole event is expected tonight on the island of San Giorgio, according to Reuters. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 June 2025 Rent and housing In a city with sky-high rent prices, cost of housing was a major tentpole in all mayoral candidates' campaigns. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 26 June 2025 That's not where the options to turn off tentpole Civilization VII features end, though. ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for tentpole

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tentpole was in 1987

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Cite this Entry

“Tentpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentpole. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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