tie

verb \ ˈtī \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: tie in a Sentence

Definition of tie

tied; tying play \ˈtī-iŋ\ or tieing

transitive verb

1 a : to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie

b : to form a knot or bow in

tie your scarf

c : to make by tying constituent elements

tied a wreath

tie a fishing fly

2 a : to place or establish in relationship : connect

b : to unite in marriage

c : to unite (musical notes) by a tie

d : to join (power systems) electrically

3 : to restrain from independence or freedom of action or choice : constrain by or as if by authority, influence, agreement, or obligation

4 a (1) : to make or have an equal score with in a contest

(2) : to equalize (the score) in a game or contest

(3) : to equalize the score of (a game)

b : to provide or offer something equal to : equal

intransitive verb

: to make a tie: such as

a : to make a bond or connection

b : to make an equal score

c : to become attached

d : to close by means of a tie

— tie into

: to attack with vigor

— tie one on

slang

: to get drunk

— tie the knot

: to perform a marriage ceremony; also : to get married

See tie defined for English-language learners

Examples of tie in a Sentence

His kidnappers tied him to a chair.
She tied a scarf around her neck.
She tied knots in the rope.
You need to tie your shoe.
His hands and feet had been tied together.
She tied the apron loosely around her waist.
The team still has a chance to tie.
I had the lead but he tied me by making a birdie on the last hole.
Her time tied the world record.
He tied the school's record in the high jump.

Recent Examples of tie from the Web

In the case of Sponsored events, sponsors will be clearly identified to all on-site participants and in marketing materials tied to the relevant conference or event in language that indicates their role as underwriters.

— Bloomberg, "Terms of Service," 8 July 2018
At least three people came to speak on the budget after a Republic investigation found businesses tied to ALA founder Glenn Way had made millions of dollars building campuses for the charter chain.

— craig harris, azcentral, "East Valley charter, subject of Republic investigation, reverses itself after blocking public comment," 14 July 2018
The widow of a UAW vice president who is also a prominent Detroit-area photographer on Friday became the first person sentenced in a case tied to the wide-ranging scandal involving misuse of money meant to train Fiat Chrysler Automobiles workers.

— eric d. lawrence, Detroit Free Press, "Widow of UAW VP Holiefield gets 18 months in federal corruption case," 13 July 2018
Her designs, sold as singles or pairs, are imbued with personal meaning and tied to far-off locales from her travels.

— monica kim, Vogue, "SVNR’s Colorful Keepsake Earrings Turn Forgotten Objects Into Chic Mementos," 13 July 2018
Some critics say council members already make too much and should have any raises tied to performance and accomplishments.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Proposed ballot measure would hike pay for San Diego elected officials," 12 July 2018
The situation illustrates the difficulty for companies closely tied to a single person, and that Papa John's may need to distance itself further from Schnatter after dealing with backlashes brought about by his comments.

— candice choi, chicagotribune.com, "Papa John is gone, but his image is still entwined with pizza chain," 12 July 2018
In addition to the indictment, another issue tied to the Mueller investigation that has not been fully resolved in the courts is whether a sitting president must respond to a subpoena from investigators.

— mary clare jalonick, The Christian Science Monitor, "Democrats raise questions about Kavanaugh's views on executive power," 12 July 2018
Jordan Fair, a former University of Louisville assistant coach who was a part of the scandal tied to the FBI's investigation into college basketball, is back coaching.

— gentry estes, The Courier-Journal, "Former Louisville assistant coach Jordan Fair is back coaching in AAU," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tie.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tie

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

tie Synonyms

Other Railroad Terms

cowcatcher, cupola, gauge, vestibule, yard

tie

noun

Definition of tie

1 a : a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed; especially : shoelace

b (1) : a structural element (such as a rod or angle iron) holding two pieces together : a tension member in a construction

(2) : any of the transverse supports to which railroad rails are fastened to keep them in line

2 : something that serves as a connecting link: such as

a : a moral or legal obligation to someone or something typically constituting a restraining power, influence, or duty

b : a bond of kinship or affection

3 : a curved line that joins two musical notes of the same pitch to denote a single tone sustained through the time value of the two

4 a : an equality in number (as of votes or scores)

b : equality in a contest; also : a contest that ends in a draw

5 : a method or style of tying or knotting

6 : something that is knotted or is to be knotted when worn: such as

a : necktie

b : a low laced shoe : oxford

—

tieless

play \ˈtī-ləs\ adjective

See tie defined for English-language learners

See tie defined for kids

Examples of tie in a Sentence

He was wearing a suit and tie.
You have a spot on your tie.
The pants have a tie at the top.
He was not ready to accept the ties of family life.

Recent Examples of tie from the Web

The president is likely to wear his traditional blue suit and a tie.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Royal etiquette for the Trumps’ visit: Don’t kiss the queen," 13 July 2018
Uncle Chuck, of course, was wearing a blue tie decorated with soccer balls.

— lori higgins, Detroit Free Press, "What soccer-loving uncle taught 2 top Michigan teachers," 13 July 2018
Who comes to a World Cup semifinal without knowing what comes after a tie through 90 minutes?

— rory smith, New York Times, "Croatia Digs Deeper, Burying England’s World Cup Dreams," 12 July 2018
Tuesday’s flat leg with its four-kilometer finish — the longest straightaway to conclude a leg on this Tour— was perfect terrain for the budding rivals to break the tie.

— joseph wilson, The Seattle Times, "Gaviria beats Sagan again to claim 2nd Tour win on Stage 4," 10 July 2018
One was a nine-minute stretch in the second half of its round of 16 game with Argentina; the other was in its final friendly before the World Cup, when the U.S. carried a lead into the final 12 minutes before settling for a 1-1 tie.

— kevin baxter, latimes.com, "A little Pep talk is giving England a World Cup boost," 8 July 2018
Okay, well, needing only a tie against Trinidad and Tobago (population 1.3 million and having lost eight in a row), the Americans stumbled to defeat and missed out.

— martin rogers, USA TODAY, "Why the world's biggest countries fail with the World Cup," 8 July 2018
Republicans have 51 votes in the Senate and need 50 votes to confirm Trump's nominee, assuming Vice President Mike Pence votes with them to break a tie.

— michael scherer, Anchorage Daily News, "Democrats target Murkowski, Collins in campaign against Supreme Court nominee," 5 July 2018
And while other elemental aspects of the tradition, involving fire, seems now secondary, there is still a tie to roses.

— roger catlin, Smithsonian, "The Point of Armenia’s Splashy Holiday is Getting Wet," 3 July 2018

Origin and Etymology of tie

Middle English teg, tye, from Old English tēag; akin to Old Norse taug rope, Old English tēon to pull — more at ¹tow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

tie Synonyms

Synonyms

bond, cement, cord, knot, ligature, link;

Near Antonyms

detaching, disengaging, parting, separation;

unbinding, unfastening, unfettering, untying (or untieing);

emancipation, freedom, liberation, release;

affection, fondness, sympathy;

fetter, handcuff, manacle, shackle, trammel;

constraint, curb, hampering, limit, limitation, restraint, restriction;

TIE Defined for English Language Learners

tie

noun

Definition of tie for English Language Learners

: a piece of string, ribbon, cord, etc., that is used for fastening, joining, or closing something
: something (such as an idea, interest, experience, or feeling) that is shared by people or groups and that forms a connection between them
: a responsibility that limits a person's freedom to do other things

tie

verb

Definition of tie for English Language Learners

: to attach (someone or something) to something with a string, rope, etc.
: to pass (something, such as a string, ribbon, or rope) around itself in a way that attaches it to something or holds it in place : to make a knot or bow in (something)
: to close or hold (something) with a string, rope, etc., that is attached to it or wrapped around it

TIE Defined for Kids

tie

noun \ ˈtī \

Definition of tie for Students

1 : necktie

2 : an equality in number (as of votes or scores)

The game ended in a tie.

3 : a contest that ends with an equal score

They finished the season with six wins and two ties.

4 : one of the cross supports to which railroad rails are fastened

5 : a connecting link : bond

family ties

6 : a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, joining, or closing

7 : a part (as a beam or rod) holding two pieces together

tie

verb

Definition of tie for Students

tied; tying \ˈtī-iŋ\ or tieing

1 : to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie

2 : to form a knot or bow in

3 : to bring together firmly : unite

They are tied by marriage.

4 : to hold back from freedom of action

Obligations tied her down.

5 : to make or have an equal score with in a contest

Learn More about tie

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tie

Definition of tie

Examples of tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tie from the Web

First Known Use of tie

tie Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Railroad Terms

tie

Definition of tie

tieless

Examples of tie in a Sentence

Recent Examples of tie from the Web

Origin and Etymology of tie

tie Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to TIE

Related Phrases

TIE Defined for English Language Learners

tie

Definition of tie for English Language Learners

tie

Definition of tie for English Language Learners

TIE Defined for Kids

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Definition of tie for Students

tie

Definition of tie for Students

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