tend

1 of 2

verb (1)

tended; tending; tends

intransitive verb

1
: to exhibit an inclination or tendency : conduce
tends to be optimistic
2
: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction
cannot tell where society is tending

tend

2 of 2

verb (2)

tended; tending; tends

intransitive verb

1
: to pay attention : apply oneself
tend to your own affairs
tend to our correspondence
2
: to act as an attendant : serve
tended to his wife
3
archaic : listen
4
obsolete : await

transitive verb

1
a
: to apply oneself to the care of : watch over
tended her sick father
b
: to have or take charge of as a caretaker or overseer
tend the sheep
d
: to manage the operations of : mind
tend the store
tend the fire
2
: to stand by (something, such as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (such as fouling)
3
archaic : to attend as a servant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
That’s because used cars tend to be less reliable than new cars. Elizabeth Rivelli, Car and Driver, 14 Feb. 2023 Ceramic knives tend to be more expensive, lightweight, and extremely hard. Maya Polton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Feb. 2023 Toothpastes designed for sensitive teeth tend to be pricier than regular toothpastes. Lacey Muinos, Health, 13 Feb. 2023 The minefields tend to be narrow but deep, like a road is, rather than long but shallow like a fence is. David Axe, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2023 Kids who have healthy, creative lives outside of school tend to be the ones who thrive in school. Naomi Martin, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Feb. 2023 Of the options laid out, wrap styles tend to be the most comfortable. Shanna Shipin, Glamour, 10 Feb. 2023 In music, recent judgments tend to be more conservative. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2023 And a lot of times, people who are creators tend to be from more marginalized backgrounds. Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English tenden "to stretch, spread, direct oneself (to), incline toward," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French tendre "to stretch, hold out, offer, direct (one's course), go, aim (at)," going back to Latin tendere "to extend outward, stretch, spread out, direct (one's course), aim (at a purpose)" (Medieval Latin, "to lead toward, move in a particular direction") — more at tender entry 3

Verb (2)

Middle English tenden, shortened from attenden "to attend" or entenden, intenden "to intend"

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 3

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

Dictionary Entries Near tend

Cite this Entry

“Tend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tend. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

tend

1 of 2 verb
1
: to pay attention
tend to business
2
a
: to take care of
b
: to help the growth or development of
tend the garden
3
: to have responsibility for as caretaker
tended sheep
4
: to manage the operation of or do the necessary work connected with
tend the fire

tend

2 of 2 verb
1
: to move or turn in a certain direction
the road tends to the right
2
: to be likely
a person who tends to slouch

More from Merriam-Webster on tend

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