tentpole

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablefigurativeinformal

   In a relationship, a person who is the main support that keeps the couple or family stable.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a tentpole' or 'the tentpole of their marriage'.

   Patterns

   • the tentpole of something
   • act as a tentpole
   • be someone's tentpole

   After his wife died, his daughter became the tentpole of the family.

   They call each other their tentpole because they hold each other up through hard times.

   In many relationships, one partner is the tentpole while the other is more free-spirited.

2. 2nouncountable

   A large pole that holds up the main part of a tent.

   Grammar: Countable: one pole is 'a tentpole'; several are 'tentpoles'.

   Patterns

   • a tentpole
   • the tentpoles

   One of the tentpoles snapped in the wind, so we had to fix it with tape.

   Make sure the tentpole is fully inserted into the sleeve before you raise the tent.

   The tentpoles are made of lightweight aluminum.

3. 3nouncountablebusinessinformal

   A movie, product, or event that a company depends on to make most of its money or attract attention.

   Grammar: Countable, often used before another noun: 'a tentpole movie', 'a tentpole release'.

   Patterns

   • a tentpole movie
   • a tentpole release
   • the studio's tentpole

   The studio's summer tentpole brought in over a billion dollars.

   They delayed their tentpole release because of the strike.

   The company needs a new tentpole product to survive.

Word forms

Common combinations

become the tentpole

After the crisis, she became the tentpole of the team.

act as a tentpole

His steady income acts as a tentpole for the whole family.

a tentpole movie

The studio is betting on a tentpole movie to save its year.

the tentpole of something

Trust is the tentpole of any good relationship.

Synonyms and how they differ

anchor

An anchor is a person or thing that provides stability; it is more common and slightly more formal than 'tentpole' in relationship talk.

pillar

A pillar is a strong supporter or mainstay; it often suggests moral or structural strength, while 'tentpole' emphasizes holding everything up.

mainstay

A mainstay is the most important part that keeps something going; it is used more for institutions or systems than for a person in a relationship.

Word family

tent noun

A shelter made of cloth supported by poles.

pole noun

A long, thin, usually round piece of wood or metal.

Commonly confused: tentpole or tent pole?

Practice

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