lend

verb \ˈlend\

: to give (something) to (someone) to be used for a period of time and then returned

: to give (money) to someone who agrees to pay it back in the future

: to make (something) available to (someone or something)

lent \ˈlent\ lend·ing

Full Definition of LEND

transitive verb

a (1) : to give for temporary use on condition that the same or its equivalent be returned <lend me your pen> (2) : to put at another's temporary disposal <lent us their services>

b : to let out (money) for temporary use on condition of repayment with interest

a : to give the assistance or support of : afford, furnish <a dispassionate and scholarly manner which lends great force to his criticisms — Times Literary Supplement>

b : to adapt or apply (oneself) readily : accommodate <a topic that lends itself admirably to class discussion>

intransitive verb

: to make a loan

— lend·able \ˈlen-də-bəl\ adjective

— lend·er noun

See lend defined for English-language learners

See lend defined for kids

Usage Discussion of LEND

The verb loan is one of the words English settlers brought to America and continued to use after it had died out in Britain. Its use was soon noticed by British visitors and somewhat later by the New England literati, who considered it a bit provincial. It was flatly declared wrong in 1870 by a popular commentator, who based his objection on etymology. A later scholar showed that the commentator was ignorant of Old English and thus unsound in his objection, but by then it was too late, as the condemnation had been picked up by many other commentators. Although a surprising number of critics still voice objections, loan is entirely standard as a verb. You should note that it is used only literally; lend is the verb used for figurative expressions, such as “lending a hand” or “lending enchantment.”