tend

1 of 2

verb (1)

ˈtend 

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

c

: cultivate, foster

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

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• incline
• lean
• run
• trend

Verb (2)

• attend
• care (for)
• mind
• oversee
• superintend
• supervise
• watch

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

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

Phrases Containing tend

• tend bar

• tend bar

Kids Definition

tend

1 of 2 verb

ˈtend 

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