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

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

It launched a range of $160 Louis Vuitton lipsticks in August and will keep a tight leash on manufacturing and distribution.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

She was connected to an oxygen supply via a translucent green cable she referred to as her “dog leash.”

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“He gave me a very long leash to write a novel based on the story the two of us came up with,” Sparks says.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A leash was attached to the goat’s neck and used to pull her forward while a stick was used to gently push her from behind until she was finally able to pop out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cord 
• rope 
• strap 
• tether