leash

[leesh]

noun

1. a chain, strap, etc., for controlling or leading a dog or other animal; lead.

2. check; curb; restraint: a tight leash on one's subordinates.

   to keep one's temper in leash;

   a tight leash on one's subordinates.

3. Hunting.,  a brace and a half, as of foxes or hounds.

verb (used with object)

1. to secure, control, or restrain by or as if by a leash.

   to leash water power for industrial use.

2. to bind together by or as if by a leash; connect; link; associate.

leash

/ liːʃ /

noun

1. a line or rope used to walk or control a dog or other animal; lead

2. something resembling this in function

   he kept a tight leash on his emotions

3. hunting three of the same kind of animal, usually hounds, foxes, or hares

4. eagerly impatient to begin something

verb

1. (tr) to control or secure by or as if by a leash

Word History and Origins

Origin of leash¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English lesh, variant of lece, lese, from Old French laisse; lease ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of leash¹

C13: from Old French laisse, from laissier to loose (hence, to let a dog run on a leash), ultimately from Latin laxus _lax

Example Sentences

But the triumph also ensured Sinner kept Alcaraz on a leash.

Read more on BBC

Way back in the 1980s, when the first bond trader was let off his leash and lost hundreds of millions of dollars, Merrill was there to take the hit.

Read more on Literature

Naomi, held on a leash by student Trinity Astilla, was the picture of lithe, feline elegance as she slunk around a dusty enclosure, briefly hopping atop her crate — but not into it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That gives YouTube a longer leash to hold out for contract terms it finds acceptable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

At his longtime home studio Paramount, the “Yellowstone” creator was given a long leash to make his shows the way he wanted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cord 
• rope 
• strap 
• tether