attend

American  

[uh-tend] / əˈtɛnd /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See accompany.

Other Word Forms

• attender noun
• attendingly adverb
• well-attended adjective

Etymology

Origin of attend

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”; cf. tend ¹

Explanation

The verb attend means to be present, to listen, or give care or attention to. You can attend your family reunion, attend to a project you've been ignoring, or attend to your teacher's voice. When you use attend as "pay attention" or "take care of," it's followed by "to." When you use attend as in "attend a party," you don't. If you attend a political rally, you'll want to attend to what the politicians have to say. When you take attendance, you are checking which students have chosen to attend class, i.e. who is in attendance.

Example Sentences

"School pupils and staff should attend school as normal if they remain well."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Taxpayers can get a credit up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship organizations that fund tuition for children to attend the school of their choice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

It’s not unusual for rumors about financial, sexual or other peccadilloes to attend a campaign.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

After buying several works by Anita, she asked the store to pass on a message to the artist, while also asking if she would like to attend the show and meet afterwards.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

“A game, certainly. Do what you think best. But you must excuse me. It is the day of the CAKE, and there are a great many details I must attend to.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• follow
• hear
• note
• observe
• watch