noun
tenet
TEN-it
Tenet (noun) means a principle or belief held to be true by a person or, more often, by a group, religion or movement. Example: “Non-violence is a central tenet of the faith.”
noun
1
A principle or belief held to be true by a person or, more often, by a group, religion or movement.
"Non-violence is a central tenet of the faith."
"The report challenges one of the basic tenets of modern economics."
How to use tenet
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA core belief that a group holds to be true.
When to use it
Formal and usually plural. Most often applied to religions, philosophies, political movements and professional disciplines rather than to one person's opinions.
Memory tip
A tenet is a belief; a tenant is a person who rents a property. The two are pronounced almost identically, so proofread carefully.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
a central tenet
the basic tenets of
core tenets
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Fill the gap
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Non-violence is a central _____ of the faith.
Etymology
From Latin tenet 'he holds', from tenere 'to hold'.
Related words
Rhymes for tenet
See all rhymes for tenet →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between tenet and tenant?
A tenet is a principle or belief held by a group. A tenant is a person who rents a home or premises from a landlord. They sound nearly the same but share no meaning, and writing 'a central tenant of the theory' is a common error.
What is the difference between a tenet and a doctrine?
A tenet is a single principle within a belief system. A doctrine is usually the whole formal body of teaching, or an officially adopted policy. A doctrine can be made up of several tenets.
What is the meaning of tenet?
"tenet" (noun) means a principle or belief held to be true by a person or, more often, by a group, religion or movement.
What is another word for tenet?
Other words for "tenet" include principle, doctrine, belief, precept, creed, dogma.
