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 or upon ):

   to attend upon the Queen.

6. to follow; be consequent (usually followed by on or upon ).
7. Obsolete. to wait.

attend

/ əˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to be present at (an event, meeting, etc)
2. whenintr, foll by to to give care; minister
3. whenintr, foll by to 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. intrfoll byto 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

Derived Forms

• atˈtender, noun

Other Words From

• at·tender noun
• at·tending·ly adverb
• well-at·tended 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

The purity ball isn't very different from the sex parties Gaetz is accused of attending, right down to the focus on girls who are too young to consent.

From Salon

More than 200 high school pupils from Ipswich attended the event - which showcased careers opportunities - at The Baths venue in the town on Tuesday.

From BBC

He said in all cases, schools had reached out to parents with letters, text messages and arranged meetings; some of which were not attended by parents.

From BBC

He also challenged Lyons over his failure to attend any GAA matches.

From BBC

Beck could count on one hand how many football games he had attended before arriving at the stadium.

From BBC

Related Words

• follow
• hear
• note
• observe
• watch