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 of tent

Noun

• roof
• canopy

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun

a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Parking lots and streets surrounding Acrisure Stadium were packed with tents, music and crowds as Pitt supporters soaked in the game-day atmosphere. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Photos of festival damage, showing vendors’ tables, tents and supplies toppled and strewn across Independence Square, appeared across social media. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026

Verb

If the outside begins to darken too quickly, loosely tenting the meat with foil can help slow the browning while the center finishes cooking. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2026

Her grandmother’s crystal chandelier, rewired after years of holding actual candles, now hangs in the primary bedroom, which is tented in dreamy silk shantung. — David Foxley, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

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

• 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