tenter

1 of 2

noun (1)

ten·​ter ˈten-tər How to pronounce tenter (audio)
1
: a frame or endless track with hooks or clips along two sides that is used for drying and stretching cloth
2
archaic : tenterhook

tenter

2 of 2

noun (2)

: one who lives in or occupies a tent

Examples of tenter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kamala Harris’ defeat convinced some Democratic strategists, like the big-tenters at Third Way and the Searchlight Institute, that Democratic candidates were too easily moved by activists, and that voters held this against them. — David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026 That’s when the university stepped in, setting an official start date for tenters. — Storey Wertheimer, NBC news, 20 Mar. 2026 Black tenters, which make up 70 to 80 of the 100 tents, are the most extreme. — David Ubben, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 This campground has a more communal feel than others in the park, as tenters are required to walk in and find space. — Emily Pennington, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for tenter

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English teyntour, tentour, tenture, probably borrowed from Medieval Latin tentōrium "tent, tabernacle, canopy, frame for stretching skins or cloth," going back to Latin, "shelter made of skins or cloth, tent," from ten-, stem in nominal derivation of tendere "to extend outward, stretch" + -tōrium, suffix of places, from neuter of -tōrius, deverbal adjective suffix — more at tender entry 3

Noun (2)

tent entry 1 or tent entry 2 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenter was in the 14th century

Rhymes for tenter

See All Rhymes for tenter

Browse Nearby Words

tented wagon
tenter
tenterer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tenter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenter. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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