Jump To:

• tie-in
  tie-in

  adjective

  pertaining to or designating a sale in which the buyer in order to get the item desired must also purchase one or more other, usually undesired, items.
• tie in
  tie in

  verb

  to come or bring into a certain relationship; coordinate

tie-in

American  

[tahy-in] / ˈtaɪˌɪn /

adjective

1. pertaining to or designating a sale in which the buyer in order to get the item desired must also purchase one or more other, usually undesired, items.

2. of or relating to two or more products advertised, marketed, or sold together.

---

noun

1. an arrangement or campaign whereby related products are promoted, marketed, or sold together.

   a book and movie tie-in.

2. a tie-in sale or advertisement.

3. an item in a tie-in sale or advertisement.

4. any direct or indirect link, relationship, or connection.

   There is a tie-in between smoking and cancer.

tie in British  

verb

1. to come or bring into a certain relationship; coordinate

---

noun

1. a link, relationship, or coordination

2. publicity material, a book, tape, etc, linked to a film or broadcast programme or series

3. 1. a sale or advertisement offering products of which a purchaser must buy one or more in addition to his purchase

   2. an item sold or advertised in this way, esp the extra item

   3. ( as modifier )

      a tie-in sale

tie in Idioms  

1. Connect closely with, coordinate, as in They are trying to tie in the movie promotion with the book it is based on, or His story does not tie in with the facts. [First half of 1900s]

---

Etymology

Origin of tie-in

First recorded in 1920–25; adj., noun use of verb phrase tie in

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tie-in tie in

“It’s a symbiotic relationship between the studios and these restaurants,” said critic Matt Singer, who has reviewed tie-in menus for the film website ScreenCrush for more than a decade.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 2026

Microsoft’s agents do have names, albeit without a Broadway musical tie-in, said Chief People Officer Amy Coleman, also speaking at the Summit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 27, 2026

Strong performances from major franchises including an "Avatar" tie-in game and juggernaut "Assassin's Creed" buttressed struggling French games giant Ubisoft's third-quarter results, the company said Thursday.

From Barron's ● Feb. 12, 2026

Like the last time, Coates didn’t give a name, but he said something even more intriguing: “The sheriff is my tie-in to the state attorney general because he’s friends.”

From Salon ● Jan. 7, 2025

I remember calling out to a certain second grader who was reading a Star Wars tie-in comic on the tire swing.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

His red card against Paris St-Germain in the 2024 Champions League quarter-finals became one of the defining moments of his Barcelona career, with his dismissal helping turn the tie in PSG's favour.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

Instead there is a collection of 12 mix-and-match pieces in navy and cream from Marks and Spencer, the FA's official partner, with not a tie in sight, all accessorised with loafers.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Researcher Gary Marcus said he saw the United States and China battling to a "tie" in the AI race -- until Friday's government announcement.

From Barron's ● Jun. 14, 2026

The lieutenant governor serves on various boards that oversee the University of California, California State University and community college systems, and can be called upon to break a tie in the state Senate.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

I told the general that while I was looking forward to the meeting, I thought it appropriate that I have a suit and tie in which to see Mr. Botha.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela