tent

1 of 3

noun

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
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 adjective
tentlike 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

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are several traditional teepees as well as a large trapper-style tent complex. Debbie Olsen, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2023 Jones was on the field for a few moments before making his way to the medical tent. Christopher Price, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023 The winds got so wild last year Carter and his colleagues were confined to their tents for nearly a week. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023 Months of feelers with his outreach worker from St. Joseph Center led to an offer of a tent. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 Hansen said the tent was for an event being hosted in the parking lot. Deanese Williams-Harris, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023 Following an initial evaluation inside a medical tent, he was carted to the locker room and did not return. Michael Gehlken, Dallas News, 12 Sep. 2023 He was then placed in a National Medical Rescue Team tent and transported to the hospital via helicopter at 1:50 a.m., per the Turkish Caving Federation. Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023 However, his debut came to crashing end four plays into the game when Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd sacked Rodgers, who was taken into the team tent and later carted off the field. Christopher Brito, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2023
Verb
However, rolling the detachable rain fly and tent tight enough to fit in the storage bag is easier accomplished in pairs. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2023 In the girl’s room, Howe tented a Pottery Barn bunk bed with a fabric by Nicky Haslam. Bebe Howorth, ELLE Decor, 26 July 2023 This unassuming tented stall is an after-hours institution. Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023 When using a grill pan, tent the fish with aluminum foil. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 June 2023 For example, if a person is living in the middle of a sidewalk and hindering access for others, or tenting in a median with fast-moving traffic zooming past, or, as has happened in recent years, dry conditions make the risk of open flames in encampments igniting a wildfire especially high. Zachariah Hughes, Anchorage Daily News, 6 June 2023 Bake, tenting top with foil if getting dark, until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Joy Cho, Good Housekeeping, 16 May 2023 Campers have access to morning yoga and Pilates classes; the activities tent with classic games, video games, dance competitions and a raffle; a camp lounge; and an art studio where revelers can accessorize outfits or customize essential oils. Jonah Valdez, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2023 Remove the meat from the smoker and tent them with foil. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Feb. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tent was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tent

Cite this Entry

“Tent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tent. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

tent

1 of 2 noun
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
: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration

More from Merriam-Webster on tent

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