unattended

adjective un·at·tend·ed \ ˌən-ə-ˈten-dəd \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Definition of unattended

: not attended : not watched or looked after : lacking a guard, escort, caretaker, etc.

an unattended parking lot

a fire left unattended

unattended children

unattended luggage

See unattended defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of unattended from the Web

Meanwhile, stacks of unattended homeless belongings still littered the lakeside Wednesday morning.

— matier & ross, San Francisco Chronicle, "Oakland’s Lake Merritt getting clean up as NBA finals start Thursday," 30 May 2018
The car valued at $5,000 was running, unlocked and unattended.

— karen pilarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "$200 in toothpaste stolen at Walgreens in Wauwatosa," 7 Feb. 2018
An orange Echo trimmer, valued at $600, and a RedMax leaf blower, valued at $1,000, were reported stolen May 30 from an unattended and unlocked trailer in the 500 block of South Chestnut Avenue, police said.

— elizabeth owens-schiele, chicagotribune.com, "Arlington Heights police: Driver picks up passenger and then steals belongings after stopping at gas station," 11 June 2018
The weather service is advising residents to stay hydrated and take breaks in the shade when working outdoors, limit strenuous outdoor activity and never leave children or pets unattended in a car.

— jacob beltran, San Antonio Express-News, "NWS: Triple-digit heat expected all week in San Antonio," 29 May 2018
While the actual effects would vary depending on the individual child, make of car and temperature outside, the research underscores the importance of keeping a watchful eye on kids—and never leaving them unattended in a vehicle.

— jamie ducharme, Time, "This Is How Long It Takes a Hot Car to Reach Dangerous Temperatures," 25 May 2018
Guns went off by mistake, were fired by curious or unruly students, and were left unattended in bathrooms and other locations.

— CBS News, "AP: More than 30 mishaps from armed adults at schools," 6 May 2018
Fandal said the child was left unattended in the back yard of the home at 104 West Pinewood Drive on March 5 while his father and other adults used meth inside, Fandal said.

— kim chatelain, NOLA.com, "Father of 4-year-old Slidell drowning victim accused of homicide," 4 Apr. 2018
The suit cites Lane County's policy that directs employees never to leave their guns unsecure or unattended.

— maxine bernstein, OregonLive.com, "Son of parole officer used father's loaded gun to kill himself, lawsuit says," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'unattended.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of unattended

1603

in the meaning defined above

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