tenet

noun

te·​net ˈte-nət How to pronounce tenet (audio)
 also  ˈtē-nət
: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true
especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession

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Tenet holds a centuries-long tenure in the English language, but its hometown is Latin. In that language, tenet is a form of the verb tenēre ("to hold") and means "s/he holds." Tenet was borrowed into English around 1600, probably because of use of the word in Latin writings to introduce text giving a principle or doctrine held by a person or group, such as a particular church or sect. The word’s English use today seems clearly linked: "a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true, and especially one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession." Note that the similar-sounding word tenant is also from tenēre; it arrived in the 1300s and typically refers today to someone who rents or leases a house, apartment, etc., from a landlord. (Be careful not to use tenant where you want tenet.) Tenure is a tenēre descendant too.

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Tenets vs. Tenants

Thanks to its confusingly similar pronunciation, tenant (“occupant, land-holder”) is sometimes erroneously used in place of tenet (“principle, doctrine”). Consider this example:

One of the ancient tenants of the Buddist [sic] belief is, “He who sits still, wins” –Police, January/February 1968

You will probably never make the opposite mistake (that is, substitute tenet for tenant), but if you think you might, remember that tenant and occupant both end in -ant.

Examples of tenet in a Sentence

the central tenets of a religion one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Moreover, one of the central tenets to holding a royal warrant is maintaining complete confidentiality in discussing what exactly is involved. Brett Berk, Architectural Digest, 29 Nov. 2024 The end of the high school football season also marks end of the competitive season for another key tenet of Wisconsin high schools: the marching bands. Maia Pandey, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 This reduces each cloud tenet’s carbon footprint by sharing these resources. Kevin Beasley, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Most scientists still agree with many of the tenets of this. Melanie Stetson Freeman, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tenet 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, "(s/he) holds," 3rd person singular present tense of tenēre "to hold, possess" — more at tenant entry 1

Note: Probably from the use of tenet in Latin texts as the opening verb in the statement of a principle or doctrine held by the person or body in question; cf. tenent (Latin, "they hold") used in the 16th to 18th centuries in the same sense.

First Known Use

circa 1620, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenet was circa 1620

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Cite this Entry

“Tenet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenet. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

tenet

noun
te·​net ˈten-ət How to pronounce tenet (audio)
: a widely held belief
especially : one held in common by members of a group or profession

More from Merriam-Webster on tenet

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