English · Word Candidate

tenant

/ˈtɛ.nənt/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: tenants · tenanting · tenanted

Sense 1

Meaning · English

One who holds a lease (a tenancy).

Noun

Examples

Long even before the last tenant had occupied it, the room had been regarded with fear and aversion, and the end of that last tenant had in no way lightened the gloom that hung about the place.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

One who has possession of any place.

Noun

Examples

c. 1782-1783, William Cowper, Joy in Martyrdom sweet tenants of this grove

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To hold as, or be, a tenant.

Verb

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To inhabit.

Verb

Examples

His thin legs tenanted a pair of gambadoes fastened at the side with rusty clasps.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “tenant” mean?

One who holds a lease (a tenancy).

Is “tenant” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.