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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.
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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
Theresa Lanowitz, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024
Cohn's three rules for winning — always attack, deny everything, and never admit defeat — remain core tenets of Trump's political playbook.
—EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024
One of the brand’s most important tenets, Williams, the denim brand’s CEO, told attendees of Sourcing Journal and Rivet’s first Los Angeles Sustainability event, has always been an insistence on underproduction.
—Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 2 Oct. 2024
Similar to the Guggenheim, the structure embodies the tenets of organic architecture, favoring sweeping curves that seamlessly blend into its lush, wooded surroundings.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for tenet 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tenet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Tenet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenet. Accessed 18 Oct. 2024.
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tenet
noun
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