attend

[uh-tend]

verb (used with object)

1. to be present at.

   to attend a lecture; to attend church.

2. to go with as a concomitant or result; accompany.

   Fever may attend a cold. Success attended her hard work.

3. to take care of; minister to; devote one's services to.

   The nurse attended the patient daily.

4. to wait upon; accompany as a companion or servant.

   The retainers attended their lord.

5. to take charge of; watch over; look after; tend; guard.

   to attend one's health.

6. to listen to; give heed to.

7. Archaic.,  to wait for; expect.

verb (used without object)

1. to take care or charge.

   to attend to a sick person.

2. to apply oneself.

   to attend to one's work.

3. to pay attention; listen or watch attentively; direct one's thought; pay heed.

   to attend to a speaker.

4. to be present.

   She is a member but does not attend regularly.

5. to be present and ready to give service; wait (usually followed by on orupon ).

   to attend upon the Queen.

6. to follow; be consequent (usually followed by on orupon ).

7. Obsolete.,  to wait.

attend

/ əˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to be present at (an event, meeting, etc)

2. to give care; minister

3. to pay attention; listen

4. (tr; often passive) to accompany or follow

   a high temperature attended by a severe cough

5. (intr; foll by on or upon) to follow as a consequence (of)

6. to devote one's time; apply oneself

   to attend to the garden

7. (tr) to escort or accompany

8. (intr; foll by on or upon) to wait (on); serve; provide for the needs (of)

   to attend on a guest

9. archaic,  (tr) to wait for; expect

10. obsolete,  (intr) to delay

Other Word Forms

• attender noun
• attendingly adverb
• well-attended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attend¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English atenden, from Anglo-French, Old French atendre, from Latin attendere “to bend to, notice,” from at- at- + tendere “to stretch, extend, proceed”; tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of attend¹

C13: from Old French atendre, from Latin attendere to stretch towards, from tendere to extend

Synonym Study

See accompany.

Example Sentences

The young adult rom-com follows Avery Blackwell, a rising college freshman who postpones her plans to attend Columbia after a note from her late mother sends her on a scavenger hunt in England.

From Los Angeles Times

You can learn more about the Labour MPs who are in key positions in the government in the short biographies below of each member of the cabinet and the ministers who attend its meetings.

From BBC

In addition, Cutler’s Tennessee drivers license was revoked for a year and he was ordered to pay a $350 fine, undergo regular and random drug screens and attend a DUI class.

From Los Angeles Times

A White House official confirmed to the BBC that the president was expected to attend.

From BBC

Instead, shows will take place on the 20 and 21 September, with refunds available for those who cannot attend the rescheduled dates.

From BBC

Related Words

• follow 
• hear 
• note 
• observe 
• watch