attend

[uh-tend]

verb (used with object)

1. to be present at.

   to attend a lecture; to attend church.

2. to go with as a concomitant or result; accompany.

   Fever may attend a cold. Success attended her hard work.

3. to take care of; minister to; devote one's services to.

   The nurse attended the patient daily.

4. to wait upon; accompany as a companion or servant.

   The retainers attended their lord.

5. to take charge of; watch over; look after; tend; guard.

   to attend one's health.

6. to listen to; give heed to.

7. Archaic.,  to wait for; expect.

verb (used without object)

1. to take care or charge.

   to attend to a sick person.

2. to apply oneself.

   to attend to one's work.

3. to pay attention; listen or watch attentively; direct one's thought; pay heed.

   to attend to a speaker.

4. to be present.

   She is a member but does not attend regularly.

5. to be present and ready to give service; wait (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to attend upon the Queen.

6. to follow; be consequent (usually followed by on orupon ).

7. Obsolete.,  to wait.

attend

/ əˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to be present at (an event, meeting, etc)

2. to give care; minister

3. to pay attention; listen

4. (tr; often passive) to accompany or follow

   a high temperature attended by a severe cough

5. (intr; foll by on or upon) to follow as a consequence (of)

6. to devote one's time; apply oneself

   to attend to the garden

7. (tr) to escort or accompany

8. (intr; foll by on or upon) to wait (on); serve; provide for the needs (of)

   to attend on a guest

9. archaic,  (tr) to wait for; expect

10. obsolete,  (intr) to delay

Other Word Forms

• attender noun
• attendingly adverb
• well-attended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English atenden, from Anglo-French, Old French atendre, from Latin attendere “to bend to, notice,” from at- at- + tendere “to stretch, extend, proceed”; tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of attend¹

C13: from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere to stretch towards, from tendere to extend

Synonym Study

See accompany.

Example Sentences

To turn around the Van Nuys High football program, coach Ken Osorio started walking around campus, visiting P.E. classes and attending school events looking for students to join his team.

From Los Angeles Times

Footage on Chinese social media site Weibo appeared to show a flaming vehicle on the ground which was being attended to by fire engines.

From BBC

"I know he was a symbol to you too," she said over images of Navalny's Moscow funeral which drew thousands despite warnings from the authorities not to attend.

From BBC

Twining attended the event on Wednesday and was disturbed at what he heard from the white supremacists.

From Los Angeles Times

In a social media post Linda Dillon, Sinn Féin MLA for Mid Ulster confirmed the Southern Trust's instructions asking the public "not to attend appointments today" but reiterated they will be dealing with emergencies.

From BBC

Related Words

• follow 
• hear 
• note 
• observe 
• watch