tend
1 Americanverb (used without object)
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to be disposed or inclined in action, operation, or effect to do something.
The particles tend to unite.
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to be disposed toward an idea, emotion, way of thinking, etc..
He tends to be overly optimistic.
Her religious philosophy tends toward pantheism.
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to lead or conduce, as to some result or resulting condition.
measures tending to improved working conditions;
Governments are tending toward democracy.
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to be inclined to or have a tendency toward a particular quality, state, or degree.
This wine tends toward the sweet side.
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(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.
verb (used with object)
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to attend to by work or services, care, etc..
to tend a fire.
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to look after; watch over and care for; minister to or wait on with service.
to tend the sick.
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Nautical. to handle or attend to (a rope).
verb (used without object)
verb phrase
verb
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(tr) to care for
to tend wounded soldiers
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to attend (to)
to tend to someone's needs
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(tr) to handle or control
to tend a fire
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informal to pay attention
verb
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(when tr, takes an infinitive) to have a general disposition (to do something); be inclined
children tend to prefer sweets to meat
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(intr) to have or be an influence (towards a specific result); be conducive
the party atmosphere tends to hilarity
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(intr) to go or move (in a particular direction)
to tend to the south
Etymology
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
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.
Still, there’s an argument to be made as higher oil prices tend to weigh on economic growth by squeezing household budgets and raising business costs.
From Barron's
But such thoughts tend to quickly fade as we get wrapped back up in adult responsibilities and the 9-5 grind.
From BBC
As older units tend to fail more often, repair costs are likely to rise each year, and a major breakdown could hit you with even bigger sticker shock.
From MarketWatch
It tends to look its most impressive when closest to the horizon at moonrise which occurs at different times across the UK, including:
From BBC
Compression ratios tend to decrease as an engine rises in temperature because of thermal expansion of the materials involved.
From BBC
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.
