leash

noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For him the leash was for fun, and the harness for work. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025 Dogs that are off leash and get between a bear and their escape route, their food, or their cubs will cause this reaction — this was not an unprovoked attack, and hunting bears would not have prevented it. Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025 About halfway through the hike, the dogs went off leash but stayed close. Steve Lopez, Mercury News, 24 June 2025 In reality, tossing the leash on the counter requires just as much mental and physical energy as hanging it on a hook (preferably one that's not in your kitchen). Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for leash

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of leash was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leash. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

leash

noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on leash

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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