Standard Lemma guide

tentpole

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˈtɛntˌpoʊl/

1

noun

Meaning 1

One of the poles used to hold up a tent.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A large-scale entertainment production that is a major source of revenue for its studio, television network, or investors.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, attributive, figuratively

Topics: broadcasting, entertainment, film, lifestyle, media, television, theater

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To schedule a popular programme between two newer or less popular ones in the hope that viewers will watch them.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: broadcasting, media

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From tent + pole.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: بِوَان (biwān) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Arabic: عَمُود البَيْت (ʕamūd al-bayt) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Dutch: tentstok — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Finnish: telttakeppi — pole used to hold up a tent
  • French: mât de tente — pole used to hold up a tent
  • German: Zeltstange — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Ancient Greek: κάμαξ (kámax) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Indonesian: tiang kemah — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Indonesian: batang tenda — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Indonesian: tongkat tenda — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Russian: сто́йка для пала́тки (stójka dlja palátki) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Russian: сто́йка для те́нта (stójka dlja ténta) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Ukrainian: сті́йка для наме́ту (stíjka dlja namétu) — pole used to hold up a tent
  • Ukrainian: опо́рна тичи́на те́нту (opórna tyčýna téntu) — pole used to hold up a tent