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tend

1
[ tend ]
/ tɛnd /
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See synonyms for: tend / tended / tending / tends on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something: The particles tend to unite.
to be disposed toward an idea, emotion, way of thinking, etc.: He tends to be overly optimistic.Her religious philosophy tends toward pantheism.
to lead or conduce, as to some result or resulting condition: measures tending to improved working conditions;Governments are tending toward democracy.
to be inclined to or have a tendency toward a particular quality, state, or degree: This wine tends toward the sweet side.
(of a journey, course, road, etc.) to lead or be directed in a particular direction (usually followed by to, toward, etc.): a path tending toward the beach.
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Origin of tend

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tenden, from Middle French tendre, from Latin tendere “to stretch, extend, proceed”

Words nearby tend

Tencel, ten-cent store, tench, ten code, Ten Commandments, tend, tendance, tendency, tendency tone, tendentious, tender

Other definitions for tend (2 of 2)

tend2
[ tend ]
/ tɛnd /
verb (used with object)
to attend to by work or services, care, etc.: to tend a fire.
to look after; watch over and care for; minister to or wait on with service: to tend the sick.
Nautical. to handle or attend to (a rope).
verb (used without object)
to attend by action, care, etc. (usually followed by to).
Verb Phrases
tend on / upon Archaic. to attend or wait upon; minister to; serve: She tended on the sick and dying with infinite compassion.

Origin of tend

2
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tenden, shortening of attend
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to tend

bear, contribute, favor, go, gravitate, influence, lean, turn, cultivate, do, feed, keep, look after, maintain, manage, protect, take care of, watch, aim, bend

How to use tend in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for tend (1 of 2)

tend1
/ (tɛnd) /
verb (when intr, usually foll by to or towards)
(when tr, takes an infinitive) to have a general disposition (to do something); be inclinedchildren tend to prefer sweets to meat
(intr) to have or be an influence (towards a specific result); be conducivethe party atmosphere tends to hilarity
(intr) to go or move (in a particular direction)to tend to the south

Word Origin for tend

C14: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere to stretch

British Dictionary definitions for tend (2 of 2)

tend2
/ (tɛnd) /
verb
(tr) to care forto tend wounded soldiers
(when intr, often foll by to) to attend (to)to tend to someone's needs
(tr) to handle or controlto tend a fire
(intr often foll by to) informal, mainly US and Canadian to pay attention

Word Origin for tend

C14: variant of attend
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
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