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

Keep cats indoors, particularly at night, and dogs on a leash or under close supervision at all times. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025

Yamamoto’s leash finally ran out on pitch 41, when Andruw Monasterio lobbed a bloop RBI single down the right-field line in the next at-bat. —Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2025

The Nationals have a history of high-profile pilots, including Davey Johnson and Dusty Baker, but also have a reputation for holding a short leash. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025

His status in that position will be performance-based, and his leash is likely short, considering the circumstances in New York. —Justin Grasso, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 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