something that can be used as an official medium of payment
"The government issued a tender to contractors who were willing to build the new bridge at the lowest price."
car attached to a locomotive to carry fuel and water
"The steam engine pulled its tender, which was filled with coal and water, along the tracks."
a boat for communication between ship and shore
"The lifeboat acted as a tender, ferrying messages back and forth between the stranded vessel and the waiting rescue team on the beach."
ship that usually provides supplies to other ships
"The supply tender docked alongside the cruise liner to deliver fresh food and fuel."
Care, kind concern, regard.
"The committee will consider all bids tendered by contractors before selecting the winner."
Someone who tends or waits on someone.
Anything which is offered, proffered, put forth or bid with the expectation of a response, answer, or reply.
In plain English: A tender is an official document used to ask for bids on a project or service.
"The tender was crowded with sheep waiting to be sold at the market."
Usage: As a noun in business contexts, "tender" refers specifically to an official offer submitted for work or goods that invites acceptance by another party. This usage is distinct from the adjective form meaning soft or delicate and should not be confused with synonyms like proposal unless the context involves formal bidding processes.
offer or present for acceptance
"The lawyer will tender the signed contract to the client at 2 PM."
make a tender of; in legal settlements
"The lawyer made a formal tender of the settlement amount to resolve the dispute before trial."
To make tender or delicate; to weaken.
"The old man tendered his resignation to the board of directors."
To work on a tender.
To offer, to give.
In plain English: To tender something means to officially offer it, such as submitting an application or presenting a bill for payment.
"She decided to tender her resignation before leaving the company next week."
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
"a tender heart"
"a tender smile"
"tender loving care"
"tender memories"
"a tender mother"
having or displaying warmth or affection
"affectionate children"
"a fond embrace"
"fond of his nephew"
"a tender glance"
Sensitive or painful to the touch.
"The doctor gently touched my sore throat, which felt tender and painful to the touch."
In plain English: Tender means soft and easy to cut, break, or hurt.
"The old man looked tenderly at his sleeping grandchildren while rocking them to sleep."
tenderly
"She hugged her baby tenderly, whispering soft words into his ear."
The word tender comes from the Latin tener, which originally meant "soft" or "delicate." It traveled into English through Old French and Middle English while retaining this core sense of gentleness.