tentpole

noun

tent·​pole ˈtent-ˌpōl How to pronounce tentpole (audio)
: a big-budget movie whose earnings are expected to compensate the studio for its less profitable movies

Examples of tentpole in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Across nearly 100 eps, Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men was one of the American tentpoles of the golden age of TV, making stars of the likes of Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss and Hendricks. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2025 The list of tentpole events also includes the FIFA World Cup, Premier League, BravoCon and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Mar. 2025 Adult audiences haven’t given the time of day to a Soderbergh spy movie with Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender, a new Bong Joon Ho sci-fi head-trip, or a Marvel tentpole. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2025 Morgan Stanley has come to view the exclamation point on the tour’s Florida Swing as a kindred spirit and The Players has become a key tentpole marketing event for them. — Mike Dojc, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tentpole

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tentpole was in 1987

Rhymes for tentpole

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Cite this Entry

“Tentpole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tentpole. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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