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tentpole

tentpole

4.2
A long pole that holds up the main part of a tent
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛntˌpoʊl/
translation icon : palo de tienda
  • The campers struggled to find the correct place to insert the tentpole into the tent's fabric.

A circus, a tentpole pegs, a marquee that is bringing things off.

Examples

  • Hell, even the couplet of remakes I viewed, Red Dawn and Dredd, far surpassed my expectations and proved to be sturdy tentpoles for this year's fest.

    Blog text (27)
  • The tent was held up by a tall tentpole in the center, allowing plenty of space for everyone inside.

  • A rectangle of masonite hung from the tentpole; she took it down, uncovered it, held it at arm's length, and regarded it with a particular mixture of affection, embarrassment, and resolve.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Each tentpole is made of durable materials to ensure the structure remains stable during strong winds.

Synonyms

pole
vstentpole
318 1.0

A long thin stick used to support things or in sports

is specific to supporting the main structure of a portable shelter

Compounds

1 6.5

A big film that earns a lot of money and helps pay for other films

How Supportive

mast
49 4.2
pole
318 1.0
tentpole
4.2
to peg
7 2.0

Surface Forms

tentpole singular
tentpoles plural

Morphology

tentpole = tent + pole (transparent) = tent + pole

Meaning is the straightforward combination of 'tent' and 'pole' referring to the physical support for a tent.

Etymology

Tentpole is made from tent and pole, and it literally means the long pole that 'holds up' a tent.