lease

¹

[lees]

noun

1. a contract renting land, buildings, etc., to another; a contract or instrument conveying property to another for a specified period or for a period determinable at the will of either lessor or lessee in consideration of rent or other compensation.

2. the property leased.

3. the period of time for which a lease is made.

   a five-year lease.

verb (used with object)

leased, leasing 

1. to grant the temporary possession or use of (lands, tenements, etc.) to another, usually for compensation at a fixed rate; let.

   She plans to lease her apartment to a friend.

2. to take or hold by lease.

   He leased the farm from the sheriff.

   Synonyms: hire, charter, rent

verb (used without object)

leased, leasing 

1. to grant a lease; let or rent.

   to lease at a lower rental.

lease

²

[lees]

noun

Textiles.

1. a system for keeping the warp in position and under control by alternately crossing the warp yarn over and under the lease rods.

2. the order of drawing in the warp ends.

lease

¹

/ liːs /

noun

1. a contract by which property is conveyed to a person for a specified period, usually for rent

2. the instrument by which such property is conveyed

3. the period of time for which it is conveyed

4. a prospect of renewed health, happiness, etc

   a new lease of life

verb

1. to grant possession of (land, buildings, etc) by lease

2. to take a lease of (property); hold under a lease

lease

²

/ liːz /

noun

1. dialect,  open pasture or common

lease

1. A contract that grants possession of property for a specified period of time in return for some kind of compensation.

Other Word Forms

• leasable adjective
• leaser noun
• leaseless adjective
• unleasable adjective
• unleased adjective
• well-leased adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lease¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English les, from Anglo-French les, Old French lais, leis, noun derivative of lesser “to lease,” literally, “let go,” ultimately from Latin laxāre to release; lax

Origin of lease²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lese “length or coil of thread,” variant of lesh leash

Word History and Origins

Origin of lease¹

C15: via Anglo-French from Old French lais (n), from laissier to let go, from Latin laxāre to loosen

Origin of lease²

Old English lǣs; perhaps related to Old Norse lāth property

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. a new lease on life, a chance to improve one's situation or to live longer or more happily.

   Plastic surgery gave him a new lease on life.

see new lease on life.

Example Sentences

The Gas Company Tower, one of Los Angeles’ tallest skyscrapers, may get a new lease on life if a sale goes through.

From Los Angeles Times

It is also not clear whether the existing California leases are secure.

From Los Angeles Times

He admitted giving a county official dozens of cash payoffs during furtive meetings in cars, restaurants and men’s rooms while reaping lucrative real-estate leases in return.

From Los Angeles Times

As part of an agreement, the park’s previous owner had agreed to a lease that expires in the middle of 2028, with an option to extend it until the middle of 2033.

From Los Angeles Times

"The biggest challenge is contracts. A 25-year lease needs clear obligations and protection for both sides. In India, long-term contract enforcement is still a hurdle," says Mr Srivastava.

From BBC

Related Words

• charter 
• hire 
• rent out www.thesaurus.com
• sublet