attending

[ uh-ten-ding ]

/ əˈtɛn dɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR attending ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective (of a physician)

having primary responsibility for a patient.

holding a staff position in an accredited hospital.

Nearby words

attendance, attendance allowance, attendance centre, attendant, attendee, attending, attent, attention, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention line

Origin of attending

First recorded in 1580–90; attend + -ing²

Related forms

well-at·tend·ing, adjective

Definition for attending (2 of 2)

attend

[ uh-tend ]

/ əˈtɛnd /

verb (used with object)

to be present at: to attend a lecture; to attend church.

to go with as a concomitant or result; accompany: Fever may attend a cold. Success attended her hard work.

to take care of; minister to; devote one's services to: The nurse attended the patient daily.

to wait upon; accompany as a companion or servant: The retainers attended their lord.

to take charge of; watch over; look after; tend; guard: to attend one's health.

to listen to; give heed to.

Archaic. to wait for; expect.

verb (used without object)

to take care or charge: to attend to a sick person.

to apply oneself: to attend to one's work.

to pay attention; listen or watch attentively; direct one's thought; pay heed: to attend to a speaker.

to be present: She is a member but does not attend regularly.

to be present and ready to give service; wait (usually followed by on or upon): to attend upon the Queen.

to follow; be consequent (usually followed by on or upon).

Obsolete. to wait.

Origin of attend

1250–1300; Middle English atenden < Anglo-French, Old French atendre < Latin attendere to bend to, notice. See at-, tend¹

Related forms

at·tend·er, nounat·tend·ing·ly, adverbwell-at·tend·ed, adjective

Synonym study

4. See accompany.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for attending

Lawrence, 43, entered the filmmaking world while attending film school at Loyola Marymount University.
‘Mockingjay’s’ Mastermind: Francis Lawrence on the Book vs. Movie, ISIS Parallels, and More|Marlow Stern|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
During the summer of 2013, I had the pleasure of attending a taping of The Colbert Report.
Ashton Kutcher’s History of Idiocy: Ubergate, Brownface, Joe Paterno, and More|Marlow Stern|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After graduating high school, he attending the University of Virginia, double-majoring in economics and foreign relations.
Ben McKenzie’s Journey From Reluctant Teen Idol on ‘The O.C.’ to Sheriff of ‘Gotham’|Marlow Stern|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Also attending was Regan, who told investigators the president had been “crestfallen” at hearing about the diversion.
How the Reagan White House Bungled Its Response to Iran-Contra Revelations|Malcolm Byrne|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

We have weekly Monday meetings, but every day is different, from attending meetings to giving design directions, on and on.
Q&A With Designer Rachel Roy|Cynthia Allum|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The doctor from Cannes who has been attending her has said so.
The Drunkard|Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
This caused such a sickness that she was obliged to leave the school she was attending.
The Wonders of Prayer|Various
I promised my presence on some particular occasion, but was prevented from attending by the sickness of a son.
The Rights of War and Peace|Hugo Grotius
The duty of attending to the island battery fell to Jack and Franz.
The Swiss Family Robinson|Johann David Wyss
Holland had his hands full in attending to his wife in the cabin, while keeping an eye on her sister, who would remain on deck.
Tiny Luttrell|Ernest William Hornung

British Dictionary definitions for attending

attend

/ (əˈtɛnd) /

verb

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

(when intr, foll by to) to give care; minister

(when intr, foll by to) to pay attention; listen

(tr; often passive) to accompany or followa high temperature attended by a severe cough

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

(intr foll by to) to devote one's time; apply oneselfto attend to the garden

(tr) to escort or accompany

(intr; foll by on or upon) to wait (on); serve; provide for the needs (of)to attend on a guest

(tr) archaic to wait for; expect

(intr) obsolete to delay

Derived Forms

attender, noun

Word Origin for attend

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012