<p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>soft or delicate in substance; not hard or tough: a tender steak.</li><li>weak or delicate in constitution; not strong or hardy.</li><li>(of plants) unable to withstand freezing temperatures.</li><li>young or immature: children of tender age.</li><li>delicate or soft in quality: tender blue.</li><li>delicate, soft, or gentle: the tender touch of her hand.</li><li>easily moved to sympathy or compassion; kind: a tender heart.</li><li>affectionate or loving; sentimental or amatory: a tender glance.</li><li>acutely or painfully sensitive: a tender bruise.</li><li>easily distressed; readily made uneasy: a tender conscience.</li><li>yielding readily to force or pressure; easily broken; fragile: These roofing shingles are too old and tender.</li><li>of a delicate or ticklish nature; requiring careful or tactful handling: a tender subject.</li><li>considerate or careful; wary or reluctant (usually followed by of): He was tender of imposing his views on others.</li><li>Nautical: crank.</li></ul><p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Usually tenders: a strip of chicken meat loosely attached to the underside of each breast half, along the breastbone.</li><li>a boneless and skinless strip of chicken cut from the breast or thigh.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object)</strong></p><ul><li>to make tender: He tendered the meat in his special marinade before throwing it on the grill.</li><li>Archaic: to regard or treat tenderly.</li></ul>