tent

1 of 3

noun

ˈtent 

1

: a collapsible shelter of fabric (such as nylon or canvas) stretched and sustained by poles and used for camping outdoors or as a temporary building

2

: dwelling

3

a

: something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter

especially : a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen being medically administered

b

: the web of a tent caterpillar

tentless

ˈtent-ləs 

adjective

tentlike

ˈtent-ˌlīk 

adjective

tent

2 of 3

verb (1)

tented; tenting; tents

intransitive verb

1

: to reside for the time being : lodge

2

: to live in a tent

transitive verb

1

: to cover with or as if with a tent

2

: to lodge in tents

tent

3 of 3

verb (2)

tented; tenting; tents

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: to attend to

Synonyms

Noun

• awning
• canopy
• ceiling
• cover
• roof

Examples of tent in a Sentence

Noun

a huge tent was erected for the outdoor wedding reception

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Throughout the excavation process, which is expected to last until spring of 2025, tents will cover the work areas to both protect the remains and artifacts, and honor those found. —Jade Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Nov. 2024

After a few still-entertaining but slightly off seasons, host Matt Lucas was replaced by Alison Hammond, whose cheerful ebullience has buoyed the vibes in the tent. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

According to Zambrano and Sarah Brekke, M.S., Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen brand manager, the benefits of tenting a turkey with foil include: Moisture retention: Foil helps trap steam, preventing the turkey—especially the breast meat—from drying out. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024

Regarding the latter, the studio took over the entire Music Center plaza, elaborately tented it, and threw a party that easily rivaled, if not exceeded, what HBO used to do at Pacific Design Center. —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English tent, tente "collapsible shelter of animal skins or fabric used by nomads, shelter, dwelling," borrowed from Anglo-French tente, going back to Vulgar Latin *tenta, noun derivative from feminine of Latin tentus, tensus, past participle of tendere "to extend outward, stretch" (or from Vulgar Latin *tendita, re-formation of the participle) — more at tender entry 3

Verb (1)

derivative of tent entry 1

Verb (2)

Middle English tenten "to look after, see to, watch over," noun derivative of tent, tente "intention, purpose, heed," short for entente, intente intent entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

circa 1608, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tent

• bender tent
• forest tent caterpillar
• oxygen tent
• pitch a/the tent
• pup tent
• shelter tent
• tent caterpillar
• tent city
• tent peg
• tent stitch

Kids Definition

tent

1 of 2 noun

ˈtent 

1

: a portable shelter (as of nylon) stretched and supported by poles

2

a

: something that resembles a tent or that serves as a shelter

especially : an enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to hold in oxygen or vapors given for medical reasons

an oxygen tent

b

: the web of a tent caterpillar

tent

2 of 2 verb

1

: to live in a tent

2

: to cover with or as if with a tent

Medical Definition

tent

noun

ˈtent 

: a canopy or enclosure placed over the head and shoulders to retain vapors or oxygen during medical administration