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Glite Dictionary
🎬 A big event 🪁 A main support 🎬 Major central
tentpole

tentpole

3 6.8
A main event or product that brings most attention and money to a company
  • noun
  • /ˈtɛntˌpoʊl/
  • Jargon
translation icon : producto estrella
  • According to social analytics company Trendrr, MTV's annual celebration of the most popular music videos of the year was the biggest tentpole event so far in 2012, which also makes it the biggest of all time, excluding political events.
  • big tentpole
  • tentpole films
  • tentpole movies

So now we, we, we have our movie that can be one touch point of the brand, maybe the tentpole of the brand.

Examples

  • To all intents, we're into 2013 now, and this major tentpole, biggest film of the decade, is due in 2015.

    Blog text (22)

  • Here was a woman who actually succeeded in having a tentpole movie, so, wow, maybe this other girl can.

    Blog text (6)

  • So now we, we, we have our movie that can be one touch point of the brand, maybe the tentpole of the brand.

    Film Courage

  • Someone who has delivered a successful tentpole, on time and on budget.

    Blog text (18)

  • Did anyone expect a potential tentpole like this to only go through one writer?

    Blog text (21)

  • And that not every single thing you offer for sale has to be a summer tentpole premiere launch.

    Blog text (29)

  • I happen to find it one of the most purely fun and enjoyable tentpole films in the last five years.

    Blog text (23)

  • There will be the exception of the big tentpole extravaganza, but that is a highly specialized and very expensive game.

    Blog text (31)

  • Prior to that, if you want a major tentpole movie, it must be geared toward 13-year-old boys.

    Blog text (6)

  • The superhero tentpole will be playing in almost every corner of the globe by Friday, including China.

Synonyms

hit
vstentpole
465 1.3

Something very popular and successful, like a song or show

is the offering relied on to attract revenue and broad public attention
blockbuster
vstentpole
81 2.6

A very popular film or book that earns a lot of money

is intended to secure major income and support other offerings at the organization
big hit
vstentpole
54 2.7

Something that many people like or buy, especially in one group

is used to generate notable revenue and attention for the organizer
main event
vstentpole
37 3.0

The most important event in a show or public gathering

is meant to draw public attention and significant revenue to support the organization
flagship
vstentpole
34 5.3

The most important product or store of a company that shows its best quality

is the product relied on to attract attention and revenue for the organization
huge hit
vstentpole
18 2.8

A product, show or event that is very successful and liked by many people

is chosen to bring attention and financial gain for the organization
megahit
vstentpole
3 3.4

A very popular movie or song many people enjoy

serves to attract large audiences and revenue for the organization
tentpole movie
vstentpole
  • Jargon
1 6.5

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

is the release that also funds and supports other projects for the organization

Compounds

tentpole movie
  • Jargon
1 6.5

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

How Important

flagship
34 5.3
main event
37 3.0
tentpole
  • Jargon
3 6.8
sideshow
26 5.5

Surface Forms

tentpole singular
tentpoles plural

Morphology

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

The compound structure is clear, but the meaning is a metaphorical extension (a principal support/attraction) rather than a literal pole.

Etymology

Tentpole comes from the camping pole that 'holds up' a tent. So a 'tentpole' is a main event or product that 'holds up' a business by drawing many people and money.