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tee

1

[ tee ]

noun

  1. the letter T or t.
  2. something shaped like a T , as a three-way joint used in fitting pipes together.
  3. the mark aimed at in various games, as curling.


adjective

  1. having a crosspiece at the top; shaped like a T .

tee

2

[ tee ]

noun

  1. Golf.
    1. Also called teeing ground. the starting place, usually a hard mound of earth, at the beginning of play for each hole.
    2. a small wooden, plastic, metal, or rubber peg from which the ball is driven, as in teeing off.
  2. Football. a device on which the ball may be placed to raise it off the ground preparatory to kicking.

verb (used with object)

, teed, tee·ing.
  1. Golf. to place (the ball) on a tee.

verb phrase

    1. Golf. to strike the ball from a tee.
    2. Slang. to reprimand severely; scold:

      He teed off on his son for wrecking the car.

    3. Informal. to begin:

      They teed off the program with a medley of songs.

    4. Baseball, Softball. to make many runs and hits, especially extra-base hits:

      teeing off for six runs on eight hits, including three doubles and a home run.

    5. Baseball, Softball. to hit (a pitched ball) hard and far:

      He teed off on a fastball and drove it into the bleachers.

    6. Boxing. to strike with a powerful blow, especially to the head:

      He teed off on his opponent with an overhand right.

    7. Slang. to make angry, irritated, or disgusted:

      She was teed off because her dinner guests were late.

TEE

3
or T-E-E

abbreviation for

  1. Trans-Europe Express.

tee

1

/ tiː /

noun

  1. a mark used as a target in certain games such as curling and quoits
“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

tee

2

/ tiː /

noun

  1. Also calledteeing ground an area, often slightly elevated, from which the first stroke of a hole is made
  2. a support for a golf ball, usually a small wooden or plastic peg, used when teeing off or in long grass, etc
“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

verb

  1. whenintr, often foll by up to position (the ball) ready for striking, on or as if on a tee
“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

tee

3

/ tiː /

noun

  1. a pipe fitting in the form of a letter T, used to join three pipes
  2. a metal section with a cross section in the form of a letter T, such as a rolled-steel joist
  3. any part or component shaped like a T
“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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Word History and Origins

Origin of tee1

First recorded in 1600–10

Origin of tee2

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of tee1

C18: perhaps from T-shaped marks, which may have originally been used in curling

Origin of tee2

C17 teaz, of unknown origin
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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

Yet, it’s back on the table, teed up by congressional Republicans as a deficit-cutting tool.

From a Japanese denim jacket to an ultra-flattering tee, these items will have you dressing stylish and smart.

State lawmakers have pledged to push back against efforts to obstruct gender-affirming care, which could tee up future battles in court.

Just as Hojgaard was piling on the pressure, McIlroy produced a stunning approach shot on the 16th to tee up a birdie putt.

From BBC

When Australia's Noah Lolesio, excellent off the tee, landed a penalty in the final act of the first half his team hit the front for the first time in the match.

From BBC

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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.

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TED spreadtee-hee