First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1rent
noun \ˈrent\
Definition of RENT
1
: property (as a house) rented or for rent
2
a : a usually fixed periodical return made by a tenant or occupant of property to the owner for the possession and use thereof; especially : an agreed sum paid at fixed intervals by a tenant to the landlord b : the amount paid by a hirer of personal property to the owner for the use thereof
3
a : the portion of the income of an economy (as of a nation) attributable to land as a factor of production in addition to capital and labor b : economic rent
— for rent
: available for use or service in return for payment
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Origin of RENT
Middle English rente, from Anglo-French, payment, income, from Vulgar Latin *rendita, from feminine of *renditus, past participle of *rendere to yield — more at render
Other Economics Terms
2rent
verb
: to pay money in return for being able to use (something that belongs to someone else)
: to allow someone to use (something) in return for payment
: to be available for use in return for payment : to be for rent
Full Definition of RENT
transitive verb
1
: to grant the possession and enjoyment of in exchange for rent
2
: to take and hold under an agreement to pay rent
intransitive verb
1
: to be for rent
2
a : to obtain the possession and use of a place or article in exchange for rent b : to allow the possession and use of property in exchange for rent
— rent·abil·i·ty \ˌren-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— rent·able \ˈren-tə-bəl\ adjective
See rent defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of RENT
15th century
Synonym Discussion of RENT
hire, let, lease, rent, charter mean to engage or grant for use at a price. hire and let, strictly speaking, are complementary terms, hire implying the act of engaging or taking for use and let the granting of use <we hired a car for the summer> <decided to let the cottage to a young couple>. lease strictly implies a letting under the terms of a contract but is often applied to hiring on a lease <the diplomat leased an apartment for a year>. rent stresses the payment of money for the full use of property and may imply either hiring or letting <instead of buying a house, they decided to rent> <will not rent to families with children>. charter applies to the hiring or letting of a vehicle usually for exclusive use <charter a bus to go to the game>.
Other Economics Terms
3rent
Definition of RENT
past and past participle of rend
4rent
noun
Definition of RENT
1
: an opening made by or as if by rending
2
: a split in a party or organized group : schism
3
: an act or instance of rending
Origin of RENT
English dialect rent to rend, from Middle English, alteration of renden — more at rend
First Known Use: 1535
RENT Defined for Kids
1rent
noun \ˈrent\
Definition of RENT for Kids
: money paid for the use of another's property
— for rent
: available for use at a price
2rent
verb
rent·edrent·ing
Definition of RENT for Kids
1
: to pay money in exchange for the use of someone else's property
2
: to give the possession and use of in return for for an agreed upon amount of money <The couple rented their cottage to friends.>
3
: to be available for use at a price <The house rents for $700 a month.>
3rent
Definition of RENT for Kids
past and past participle of rend
Learn More About RENT
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