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 shelves are adjustable, and the top can be used as additional storage for mail, keys, and leashes. —Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2026

LaFleur deserves credit for leading the transition from four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the previously unproven Jordan Love, but an early exit from this year’s playoff field will show how long of a leash that test gave him. —Jayna Bardahl, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

Toni Skelton may get to keep her pet spider monkey in her Prairie Village home, but the permission to do so comes with a new set of rules that keeps the pet and its owners on a tighter leash. —Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 6 Jan. 2026

As Bujor passed through the intersection, Nougat’s leash fell off the car and the suspect pulled over to the side of the road to wrangle the animal, Homrod said. —Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 6 Jan. 2026

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