tether

American  

[teth-er] / ˈtɛð ər /

noun

1. a rope, chain, or the like, by which an animal is fastened to a fixed object so as to limit its range of movement.

2. the utmost length to which one can go in action; the utmost extent or limit of ability or resources.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or confine with or as if with a tether.

2. Digital Technology. to use (an electronic device, usually a smartphone or tablet) to enable a wireless internet connection on another nearby device, often a laptop.

   There's no Wi-Fi, so I'll have to tether my phone to my laptop.

verb (used without object)

1. Digital Technology. to use an electronic device to enable a wireless internet connection on another device.

idioms

1. at the end of one's tether, at the end of one's resources, patience, or strength.

tether British  

/ ˈtɛðə /

noun

1. a restricting rope, chain, etc, by which an animal is tied to a particular spot

2. the range of one's endurance, etc

3. distressed or exasperated to the limit of one's endurance

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verb

1. (tr) to tie or limit with or as if with a tether

tether More Idioms  

1. see end of one's rope (tether).

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Other Word Forms

• untethering
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tether

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English (noun); compare Old Norse tjōthr, Dutch tuier

Explanation

Both a verb and a noun, tether keeps things tied together, or is the tie itself. Remember, when you tether that chair to those balloons, use a strong tether. You don't want to drop from the sky because you tied them together using a cheap piece of rope. Think of the childhood game tether-ball. The ball is tethered to a pole by a tether. Tether usually refers to a rope or a chain, but it can also refer to an invisible bond or link. For example, the Internet can serve as a tether that links you to your pen pal in Germany. The love between a mother and her child keeps them tethered to each other for a lifetime. And whenever astronauts go for jaunts outside the space station, they tether themselves to the station using wires and a hook.

Example Sentences

Saturday’s event also featured appearances by a cadre of “superstars,” including investor Cathie Wood, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, motivational speaker Tony Robbins and boxer Mike Tyson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

Gold.com acquired Sunshine Minting, increasing capacity to three million ounces weekly, and secured a $150 million investment from Tether.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

To make matters worse, stablecoin rival Tether announced it had hired a Big Four accounting firm to complete its first full independent audit, adding to chatter about the company’s potential U.S. expansion.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

One example was Tether, a digital currency specialist which has recently purchased so much gold its reserves reportedly outsize those of some small countries.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Penelope readied the Temporary Ostrich Tether she had fashioned out of the twine that had been left in the trunk, back at the cave.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• cord
• harness
• leash
• rope
• shackle