tend

¹

[ tend ]

verb (used without object)

1. to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something:

   The particles tend to unite.

2. to be disposed toward an idea, emotion, way of thinking, etc.:

   He tends to be overly optimistic.

   Her religious philosophy tends toward pantheism.

3. to lead or conduce, as to some result or resulting condition:

   measures tending to improved working conditions;

   Governments are tending toward democracy.

4. to be inclined to or have a tendency toward a particular quality, state, or degree:

   This wine tends toward the sweet side.

5. (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.

tend

²

[ tend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to attend to by work or services, care, etc.:

   to tend a fire.

2. to look after; watch over and care for; minister to or wait on with service:

   to tend the sick.

3. Nautical. to handle or attend to (a rope).

verb (used without object)

1. to attend by action, care, etc. (usually followed by to ).

verb phrase

1. Archaic. to attend or wait upon; minister to; serve:

   She tended on the sick and dying with infinite compassion.

tend

¹

/ tɛnd /

verb

1. when tr, takes an infinitive to have a general disposition (to do something); be inclined

   children tend to prefer sweets to meat

2. intr to have or be an influence (towards a specific result); be conducive

   the party atmosphere tends to hilarity

3. intr to go or move (in a particular direction)

   to tend to the south

tend

²

/ tɛnd /

verb

1. tr to care for

   to tend wounded soldiers

2. whenintr, often foll by to to attend (to)

   to tend to someone's needs

3. tr to handle or control

   to tend a fire

4. informal.
   introften foll byto to pay attention

Word History and Origins

Origin of tend¹

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

Origin of tend²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English tenden, shortening of attend

Word History and Origins

Origin of tend¹

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

Origin of tend²

C14: variant of attend

Example Sentences

While any large hole that opens up in the ground tends to be dubbed a sinkhole, this catch-all term is not always an accurate description.

From BBC

It also may be easier to change phone culture, experts said, in a middle school setting simply because there tend to be fewer kids in a tighter age span compared to high school.

From Los Angeles Times

In Ireland, the stories are almost never simple, and tend to involve seemingly irrelevant tangents and extended detours into the past.

From Salon

“Yes it tends to be the bigger the car the heavier it is and so it’s less fuel-efficient. But it’s a clumsy way of looking at it,” she says.

From BBC

Research comparing optimists and defensive pessimists has often found similar benefits, although pessimists tend to have a less enjoyable journey towards achieving outcomes, Sirois added.

From Salon

Related Words

• cultivate
• do
• feed
• keep
• look after
• maintain
• manage
• protect
• take care of
• watch