1grant to (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it will be returned:Stewart asked me to lend him my carthe pictures were lent to each museum in turn
allow (a person or organization) the use of (a sum of money) under an agreement to pay it back later, typically with interest:no one would lend him the money [no object]:banks lend only to their current account customers (as noun lending)balance sheets weakened by unwise lending
2contribute or add (a quality) to:the smile lent his face a boyish charm
3 (lend oneself to) accommodate or adapt oneself to:John stiffly lent himself to her aromatic embraces
(lend itself to) (of a thing) be suitable for:bay windows lend themselves to blinds
lend an ear (or one's ears)
listen sympathetically or attentively:the Samaritans lend their ears to those in crisis
