definitions

lease

1
[ lees ]
/ lis /
||

noun

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.
the property leased.
the period of time for which a lease is made: a five-year lease.

verb (used with object), leased, leas·ing.

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.
to take or hold by lease: He leased the farm from the sheriff.

verb (used without object), leased, leas·ing.

to grant a lease; let or rent: to lease at a lower rental.

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Nearby words

learning resources center, learning support assistant, learning-disabled, learnt, leary, lease, lease rod, lease-purchase, leaseback, leasehold, leaseholder

Idioms

    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.

Origin of lease

1
1350–1400; Middle English les < Anglo-French (equivalent to Old French lais, French legs legacy), noun derivative of lesser to lease, literally, let go (equivalent to Old French laissier) < Latin laxāre to release, let go. See lax

SYNONYMS FOR lease

5 rent, charter, hire.

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for new lease on life (1 of 2)

lease

1
/ (liːs) /

noun

a contract by which property is conveyed to a person for a specified period, usually for rent
the instrument by which such property is conveyed
the period of time for which it is conveyed
a prospect of renewed health, happiness, etca new lease of life

verb (tr)

to grant possession of (land, buildings, etc) by lease
to take a lease of (property); hold under a lease

Derived Forms

leasable, adjectiveleaser, noun

Word Origin for lease

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

British Dictionary definitions for new lease on life (2 of 2)

lease

2
/ (liːz) /

noun

dialect open pasture or common

Word Origin for lease

Old English lǣs; perhaps related to Old Norse lāth property
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Culture definitions for new lease on life

lease

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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with new lease on life (1 of 2)

new lease on life

A fresh start; renewed vigor and good health, as in Since they bought his store Dad has had a new lease on life. This term with its allusion to a rental agreement dates from the early 1800s and originally referred only to recovery from illness. By the mid-1800s it was applied to any kind of fresh beginning.

Idioms and Phrases with new lease on life (2 of 2)

lease

see new lease on life.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.