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DictionarytenetGuiding belief
noun

tenet

TEN-it/ˈtenɪt/

A principle or belief held to be true.

Fairness is a central tenet that unites this community group.

A diverse community group gathers around a balanced scale symbol representing their shared belief in fairness.
Etymology
tenetLatinto hold or maintain

A tenet is something held in the mind as true. Its doctrinal meaning probably arose because Latin tenet, “he holds,” was used to introduce a statement of doctrine.

In context

Neal K. Shah50:02
Essential tenet of Western medicine is that diseases have causes.
Parkinson's Doctor: Trash These 3 Household Chemicals That 5x Risk

More examples

  • Respect for all living things is a tenet of her faith.
  • The policy reflects our company's tenet that customer privacy comes first.
  • They disagree about some of the movement's basic tenets.

Forms

tenet · tenets

Similar words

principle
Often guides conduct, rather than simply expressing an accepted belief.
doctrine
Usually belongs to an organized religious, political, or philosophical system.
belief
Broader term for anything someone accepts as true.