pent
1 Americanverb
adjective
noun
abbreviation
verb
Etymology
Origin of pent1
First recorded in 1535–45; late Middle English pente, pent, past participle of obsolete pend, variant of pennen “to enclose, confine”; cf. pen 2
Origin of pent2
By shortening
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Australian migration agent Mark Welch said there was a pent up demand following Brexit, which was combined with those who weren't able to go because of Covid-19.
From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2025
Toxic energy and animosity get pent up, and carried out into the yard.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2025
And when Anisimova’s final return of serve flew wide, Sabalenka released all of the pent up tension by sinking to her knees and weeping onto the court.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2025
Jefferson played with the ferocity of nearly two years of pent up football frustration.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 6, 2024
I could feel it, and smell it, pent up there, behind the clouds.
From "Rebecca" by Daphne du Maurier
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.