2
a
: showing care : considerate, solicitous
tender regard
b
: highly susceptible to impressions or emotions : impressionable
a tender conscience
3
4
5
6
tenderly
adverb
tendered; tendering
ˈten-d(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to present for acceptance : offer
tendered my resignation
2
: to make a tender of
: to make a bid or tender
often attributive
1
: an unconditional offer of money or service in satisfaction of a debt or obligation made to save a penalty or forfeiture for nonpayment or nonperformance
2
: an offer or proposal made for acceptance: such as
a
: an offer of a bid for a contract
b
3
: something that may be offered in payment
specifically
: money
: an often breaded strip of usually breast meat
chicken tenders
also
: the tenderloin of a chicken
: one that tends: such as
a(1)
: a ship employed to attend other ships (as to supply provisions)
(2)
: a boat for communication or transportation between shore and a larger ship
(3)
: a warship that provides logistic support
b
: a car attached to a steam locomotive for carrying a supply of fuel and water
obsolete
Examples of tender in a Sentence
Adjective
He gave her a tender look.
She was tender and loving with her new child.
Cook the pasta until it is just tender.
Her wrist was swollen and tender.
Verb (1)
the coach tendered his resignation and started a new career as a physical therapist
Noun (1)
money from that board game is not legal tender and can't be exchanged for goods or services
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
This allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The Red Sox can free up additional money by declining to tender a contract to players who still have years of team control remaining.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Madalyn Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
This type of fullness feels soft and spread out, not firm or tender.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The chicken’s outer layer is crunchy and its inside is tender, making for an enjoyable appetizer before the main dish.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2025
This allows the flavors to meld together and the meat to become tender.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
Hoffman was non-tendered by the Reds and signed a minor-league deal with the Twins the following spring training.
—Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
The Red Sox can free up additional money by declining to tender a contract to players who still have years of team control remaining.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
Roast until carrots are fork tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
—Madalyn Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
This type of fullness feels soft and spread out, not firm or tender.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for tender
Cite this Entry
“Tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tender. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tender
1 of 5 adjective
ten·der
ˈten-dər
1
: having a soft or yielding quality
tender steak
3
: loving, affectionate
a tender look
4
: showing care : considerate
6
: sensitive to touch : very easily hurt
a tender bruise
7
: demanding careful and sensitive handling
a tender subject
tenderly
adverb
tenderness
noun
tender
2 of 5 verb
tendered; tendering
-d(ə-)riŋ
1
: to offer in payment
2
: to present for acceptance
tendered my resignation
tender
3 of 5 noun1
: an offer of money in payment of a debt
2
: an offer made for acceptance
especially
: a bid for a contract
3
: something that may by law be offered in payment
especially
: money
tender
4 of 5 noun
tend·er
ˈten-dər
: one that tends or takes care: as
a
: a ship used to attend other ships (as to supply food)
b
: a boat that carries passengers or freight between shore and a larger ship
c
: a car attached to a locomotive for carrying fuel and water
tender
5 of 5 noun
: an often breaded strip of usually breast meat
chicken tenders
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English tender "tender, fragile," from early French tendre (same meaning), from Latin tener "having a soft yielding texture, tender, young"
Verb
Middle English tendren "to offer in payment," from early French tendre "to stretch out, offer," from Latin tendere "to stretch" — related to tense entry 2
Noun
from tend "to look after" and -er, noun suffix
Noun
probably short for tenderloin
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