tended; tending; tends
2
: to move, direct, or develop one's course in a particular direction
cannot tell where society is tending
tended; tending; tends
1
: to pay attention : apply oneself
tend to your own affairs
tend to our correspondence
2
: to act as an attendant : serve
tended to his wife
3
archaic
: listen
4
obsolete
: await
1
2
: to stand by (something, such as a rope) in readiness to prevent mischance (such as fouling)
3
archaic
: to attend as a servant
Synonyms
Verb (1)
Verb (2)
Examples of tend in a Sentence
Verb (1)
her wardrobe tends toward dark colors and heavy fabrics
Verb (2)
tend the store while I run an errand
lately I haven't been doing a good job of tending my garden
plots that during the war were tended by city dwellers as vegetable gardens
the dying patriarch wondered who would tend the family business after he was gone
Recent Examples on the Web
Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Nov. 2024
Many grocery stores, retail stores, restaurant chains and even pharmacies tend to close or adopt limited hours in honor of Thanksgiving.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
Be Prepared for the Long Game Global real estate investing, like all forms of real estate investing, tends to require patience, due diligence, and a long-term perspective.
—James Nelson, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
According to the report, most educators tend to base their lesson plans on nonpartisan sources like the Library of Congress and other federal museums, archives and institutions.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tend 
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Verb
Vote certification then tends to drag on as California allows for ballot curing up until Dec. 1, meaning election officials can reach out to voters who made mistakes on their ballots such as forgetting a signature or using an incorrect envelope.
—Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 27 Nov. 2024
Many grocery stores, retail stores, restaurant chains and even pharmacies tend to close or adopt limited hours in honor of Thanksgiving.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024
Be Prepared for the Long Game Global real estate investing, like all forms of real estate investing, tends to require patience, due diligence, and a long-term perspective.
—James Nelson, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
According to the report, most educators tend to base their lesson plans on nonpartisan sources like the Library of Congress and other federal museums, archives and institutions.
—Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tend
Articles Related to tend
Dictionary Entries Near tend
Cite this Entry
“Tend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tend. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tend
1 of 2 verb1
: to pay attention
tend to business
2
a
: to take care of
b
: to help the growth or development of
tend the garden
3
: to have responsibility for as caretaker
tended sheep
4
: to manage the operation of or do the necessary work connected with
tend the fire
tend
2 of 2 verb1
: to move or turn in a certain direction
the road tends to the right
2
: to be likely
a person who tends to slouch
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