Definition of 'tee'

Word Frequency

tee

(tiː )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense tees , present participle teeing , past tense, past participle teed

1. countable noun

In golf, a tee is a small piece of wood or plastic which is used to support the ball before it is hit at the start of each hole.

2. countable noun

On a golf course, a tee is one of the small flat areas of ground from which people hit the ball at the start of each hole.

3. to a T

Phrasal verbs:

See tee off

See tee up

Image of
tee

tee in British English 1

(tiː )

noun

a pipe fitting in the form of a letter T, used to join three pipes

a metal section with a cross section in the form of a letter T, such as a rolled-steel joist

any part or component shaped like a T

Word Frequency

tee in British English 2

(tiː ) golf

noun

1. Also called: teeing ground

an area, often slightly elevated, from which the first stroke of a hole is made

a support for a golf ball, usually a small wooden or plastic peg, used when teeing off or in long grass, etc

verbWord forms: tees, teeing or teed

3. (when intr, often foll by up)

to position (the ball) ready for striking, on or as if on a tee

Word origin

C17 teaz, of unknown origin

Word Frequency

tee in British English 3

(tiː )

noun

a mark used as a target in certain games such as curling and quoits

Word origin

C18: perhaps from T-shaped marks, which may have originally been used in curling

Word Frequency

tee in American English 1

(ti )

nounWord forms: plural tees

the letter T

something shaped like T

T-shirt

adjective

shaped like T

Word Frequency

tee in American English 2

(ti )

noun

a mark aimed at in quoits, curling, etc.

Word origin

< tee1: the mark was orig. T-shaped

Word Frequency

tee in American English 3

(ti )

noun

1. Golf

a. Obsolete

a small, cone-shaped mound as of sand, on which a golf ball was placed to be driven

a small, pointed holder of wood, plastic, etc. on which a golf ball is placed to be driven

the designated starting area of each hole, where a golfer is permitted to use a tee

2. US

a small holder on which a football is positioned for a kickoff

a tall device for holding a ball up for a hitter in T-ball

verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: teed or ˈteeing

to place (a ball) on a tee

usually with up

Idioms:

tee off

Word origin

prob. contr. < Scot dial. teaz (< ?), but now assoc. with tee2 in form and sense

Example sentences including
tee

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We love the singing on the 1st tee.On the first tee yesterday, they tossed a coin to see who would hit the opening shot.I hope by the time we tee off, it will all have died down a bit.There, on that first tee, they will confront all their deepest fears. Players talk of how difficult it can be just to grip a club on the first tee at the Ryder Cup.But he knows it will get VERY real when he steps into the cauldron of the first tee come Friday morning.On the ninth tee he was one over for the day.Then we all received personalised golf tees in a pink plastic fish. Wear with a plain white tee and trainers.We waited for a quiet moment before creeping onto the first tee.