Did you know?
Tenet holds a centuries-long tenure in the English language, but its hometown is Latin. In that language, tenet is a form of the verb tenēre ("to hold") and means "s/he holds." Tenet was borrowed into English around 1600, probably because of use of the word in Latin writings to introduce text giving a principle or doctrine held by a person or group, such as a particular church or sect. The word’s English use today seems clearly linked: "a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true, and especially one held in common by members of an organization, movement, or profession." Note that the similar-sounding word tenant is also from tenēre; it arrived in the 1300s and typically refers today to someone who rents or leases a house, apartment, etc., from a landlord. (Be careful not to use tenant where you want tenet.) Tenure is a tenēre descendant too.
Did you know?
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
Ben Casselman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The Prosecutor too often feels more invested in bludgeoning its audience into submission using the tenets of Hong Kong’s rule of law, rather than the iron fists of traditional street justice.
—James Marsh, Deadline, 10 Jan. 2025
The return-to-play process won’t look the same for everyone, but there are a few key tenets: track your pain, practice patience, fuel smartly, avoid the particularly insidious comparison trap, and celebrate your new wins.
—Christa Sgobba, SELF, 7 Jan. 2025
Incorporating arts and culture to benefit those living with disabilities is one of the key tenets of the Community Foundation of Broward, said Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, the foundation’s CEO.
—Caitlin Granfield, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for tenet 
Dictionary Entries Near tenet
Cite this Entry
“Tenet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenet. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tenet
noun
Share