attend

verb

at·​tend ə-ˈtend How to pronounce attend (audio)
attended; attending; attends
Synonyms of attendnext

transitive verb

1
: to be present at : to go to
attend a meeting
attend law school
2
: to pay attention to
attend the warning signs
3
: to look after : to take charge of
… campsites … attended by park rangers.Jackson Rivers
4
a
: to go or stay with as a companion, nurse, or servant
ministers who attend the king
b
: to visit professionally especially as a physician
a doctor attending his patients
5
: to be present with : accompany
6
archaic
a
: to wait for
b
: to be in store for

intransitive verb

1
: to direct one's attention : see
used with to
I'll attend to [=deal with] that myself.
2
: to apply oneself
attend to your work
3
: to apply the mind or pay attention : heed
attend to his advice
4
a
: to be ready for service
ministers who attend upon the king
b
: to be present
How many people attended?
5
obsolete : wait, stay
attender noun

Examples of attend in a Sentence

My husband and I will both attend the banquet. How many people attended the baseball game? He won't be attending the conference. How many people will be attending? She attends a school in the city. He'll be attending the university in the fall. I am the first child in my family to attend college. We attend the same church. Each nurse attends 15 patients. A midwife attended the birth.
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.
From here on out, you’re greeted by name and a warm smile, and every need is attended to. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026 Nixon was one of several of Henderson relatives who attended Monday’s court hearing. James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026 Fey and fellow alum Paula Pell have also attended all three shows. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 Effective CEOs can attend to their mental and emotional states through intentional self-care, exercise, journaling, meditation, and by blocking out time to truly connect with those most important to them, no matter what. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for attend

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French atendre, from Latin attendere, literally, to stretch to, from ad- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attend. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

attend

verb
at·​tend ə-ˈtend How to pronounce attend (audio)
1
a
: to pay attention to
attend my words
b
: to give one's attention
attend to business
2
: to go or stay with especially as a companion or servant
attend the sick
3
: to be present with
a cold attended by fever
4
: to go to or be present at especially to take part or observe
attend a party
attend school
5
: to take charge of : look after
a doorman attending the entrance

Medical Definition

attend

transitive verb
at·​tend ə-ˈtend How to pronounce attend (audio)
: to visit with or care for in a professional capacity
attender noun

More from Merriam-Webster on attend

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster