tenet

noun

te·net | \ ˈte-nət also ˈtē-nət

Definition of tenet

: a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true especially : one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession

Tenets vs. Tenants Example Sentences Learn More about tenet

Keep scrolling for more

Tenets vs. Tenants

Thanks to its confusingly similar pronunciation, tenant (“occupant, land-holder”) is sometimes erroneously used in place of tenet (“principle, doctrine”). Consider this example:

One of the ancient tenants of the Buddist [sic] belief is, “He who sits still, wins” –Police, January/February 1968

You will probably never make the opposite mistake (that is, substitute tenet for tenant), but if you think you might, remember that tenant and occupant both end in -ant.

Examples of tenet in a Sentence

the central tenets of a religion one of the basic tenets of the fashion industry

Recent Examples on the Web

The study’s findings, laid out in their 1989 book, also explicitly raised questions about a central tenet of law and economics: that individuals respond rationally to economic incentives. — Stephanie Saul, New York Times, "The Education of Elizabeth Warren," 25 Aug. 2019 Dorsey’s core tenet, as scrawled on the whiteboard in his office: don’t be scared. — Ben Baskin, SI.com, "Welcome to Cleveland, Where the Browns Are True Contenders," 20 Aug. 2019 Unlike the president, who recalled bizarre revolutionary events in our history involving airport takeovers on July Fourth celebrations, Potter recalled one of the central tenets of the American Revolution: no taxation without representation. — Elaine Ayala, ExpressNews.com, "Citizenship question is already being asked by the Census Bureau’s ongoing American Community Survey," 6 July 2019 One of the tenets in the Basic Law is that Hong Kong has the right to develop its own democracy, and previous Chinese officials pledged that the central government in Beijing wouldn't interfere with that. — Tara John, CNN, "Why Hong Kong is protesting," 13 Aug. 2019 The core tenet of a romance novel is its HEA, or happily-ever-after. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, "Hot Stuff: July romances offer 'knotty' self-discovery," 30 July 2019 The tenets of liberal democracy are nothing but an excuse for closeted white supremacy. — Sahil Handa, National Review, "What Conservatives Get Wrong about the Campus Wars," 4 July 2019 The tenets for Coach Potter’s teams are respect, selflessness, hard work and passion. — Sam Boyer, cleveland.com, "Eagles send check to help Ohioans hit by severe weather: Whit & Whimsey," 28 June 2019 Another tenet of American justice that inspired me to lean left was the idea that every defendant, however unpopular, is entitled to legal representation. — Michael Blechman, WSJ, "Liberalism Isn’t What It Used to Be," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tenet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for tenet

borrowed from Latin, "(s/he) holds," 3rd person singular present tense of tenēre "to hold, possess" — more at tenant entry 1

Note: Probably from the use of tenet in Latin texts as the opening verb in the statement of a principle or doctrine held by the person or body in question; cf. tenent (Latin, "they hold") used in the 16th to 18th centuries in the same sense.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for tenet

tenet

noun

English Language Learners Definition of tenet

formal : a belief or idea that is very important to a group

See the full definition for tenet in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

tenet

Definition of tenet

Tenets vs. Tenants

Examples of tenet in a Sentence

First Known Use of tenet

History and Etymology for tenet

English Language Learners Definition of tenet

WORD OF THE DAY