harness

verb

harnessed; harnessing; harnesses

transitive verb

1

a

: to put a harness on

harnessed the ox

b

: to attach by means of a harness

harness the horses to the wagon

2

: to tie together : yoke

… must harness his mechanical apparatus to his creative mind …

—Andrew Buchanan

3

: utilize

harness the technology's potential

Synonyms of harness

• use
• utilize
• exploit
• apply
• employ

Examples of harness in a Sentence

The horses were harnessed to the wagon.

Engineers are finding new ways to harness the sun's energy to heat homes.

The company is harnessing technology to provide better service to its customers.

They harnessed the power of the waterfall to create electricity.

harness anger to fight injustice

Recent Examples on the Web

As a group of dancers surrounded her on the B-stage, she was surreptitiously harnessed into a rig that carried her aloft, limp yet belting, into the heavens, or at least into what looked like a UFO hovering over the arena. —Chris Willman, Variety, 7 June 2026

Before this year’s World Cup, the growing sophistication of AI videos was a particular concern, with officials warning that state actors can harness the technology to sow misinformation and panic. —Jake Offenhartz, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2026

But there is talent present, potential that could be harnessed on this roster, which is full of young players with upside. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026

In the weeks after the election, Democrats began arguing among themselves about asymmetries between the parties in harnessing this new media environment. —Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English harneysen, harneyschen, hernessen "to equip with arms or armor, place accoutrements on a horse or ox, dress," borrowed from Anglo-French harneiser, herneiser, hernescher "to make ready, equip" (continental Old French harneschier, herneschier), derivative of harneis "equipment of a man-at-arms, baggage" — more at harness entry 1

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing harness

• harness horse
• harness racing
• in harness
• shoulder harness

Kids Definition

harness

1 of 2 noun

har·​ness ˈhär-nəs 

1

: the straps and fastenings by which an animal pulls a load

2

: an arrangement that resembles a harness

harness

2 of 2 verb

1

: to put a harness on

2

: to tie together : yoke

3

: to put to work : utilize

harness the sun's energy to heat homes