leash

American  

[leesh] / liʃ /

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.

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verb (used with object)

leashes, present (3rd person singular) leashed, past participle, past leashing present participle

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 British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have leashed
  perfect
• has leashed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am leashing
  progressive 1st person singular
• leashes
  singular 3rd person
• has been leashing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is leashing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are leashing
  progressive
• leashing
  participle
• have been leashing
  perfect progressive

Past

• had leashed
  perfect
• was leashing
  progressive singular
• were leashing
  progressive plural
• had been leashing
  perfect progressive
• leashed
  simple
• leashed
  participle

Future

• will leash
  simple
• will have leashed
  perfect
• will be leashing
  progressive
• will have been leashing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of leash

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

Explanation

Dog owners who live in the city need a leash, a rope or cord attached to the dog's collar that helps his owner keep him safe and restrained. When you walk a dog, you hold his leash to guide him along the sidewalk and keep him from chasing squirrels into busy streets. The word leash is also useful for describing a figurative kind of guide or restraint: "The teachers at that school keep their students on a short leash when they take field trips downtown." The students aren't on actual leashes, but they are constrained. Leash comes from the Old French word laissier, or "loose."

Example Sentences

She added there had been "no safety briefing" beforehand, none of the participants had the right type of leash for their boards in these conditions and Lloyd did not have any next of kin details.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

How long of a financial leash should parents extend to their children to pursue a long shot?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Sri Lanka's police kennels department was mobilised to ensure that local street dogs did not attack Aloka, who was led on a leash held by an army commando.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

"But at this stage, absolutely off the leash, both of them, as long as there's always this kind of margin between the cars. We are fine."

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

The streets were so busy that Glory held on to her aunt’s hand, while Danny kept close and held Orion’s leash.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Related Words

• cord
• rope
• strap
• tether