leash

noun

ˈlēsh 

1

a

: a line for leading or restraining an animal

b

: something that restrains : the state of being restrained

keeping spending on a tight leash

2

a

: a set of three animals (such as greyhounds, foxes, bucks, or hares)

b

: a set of three

leash transitive verb

Examples of leash in a Sentence

put a dog on a leash

Dogs must be kept on a leash while in the park.

The dog saw a cat and was straining at its leash trying to get at it.

Recent Examples on the Web

The incident in Daniel, Wyoming, last year drew international condemnation and sparked death threats after the man ran the female wolf over with a snowmobile, duct-taped its muzzle shut and dragged it into the Green River Bar in a shock collar at the end of a leash. —Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2025

Archie is shown in the 90-second video post walking Guy on a leash with his dad. —Julie Tremaine, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

They can be trained with positive reinforcement to do things like walk on a leash or sit on command. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

Perhaps the clearest influence on the underlying market dynamics will be the extent to which vague but avid expectations for a lighter regulatory touch encourage investors to give stocks a longer leash until details are settled. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lees, leshe, from Anglo-French *lesche, lesse, probably from lesser to leave, let go

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leash

• leash law
• strain at the leash

Rhymes for leash

• quiche
• pastiche
• unleash

Kids Definition

leash

noun

ˈlēsh 

1

: a line for leading or controlling an animal

2

: something that restrains : the state of being restrained

kept spending on a tight leash

leash verb