Entry Word: tie

Function: noun

Meaning: 1 a situation in which neither participant in a contest, competition, or struggle comes out ahead of the other <the competition for first place in the dessert division ended in a tie between the chocolate pecan pie and the walnut fudge tart>

Synonyms dead heat, draw, stalemate, standoff

Related Words deadlock, impasse; photo finish; toss-up

2 a uniting or binding force or influence <their marriage will serve to form a very strong tie between our families> — see bond 2