tie

1 of 2

verb

ˈtī 

tied; tying 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

2 of 2

noun

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

ˈtī-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

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

Synonyms

Verb

• band
• bind
• truss

Noun

• dead heat
• draw
• stalemate
• standoff

Examples of tie in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

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 on the Web

Verb

The proposal marks a new effort by Newsom to address homelessness, a pernicious problem in California tied to a shortage of housing, the high cost of living and a drug abuse and mental health crisis. —Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024

The former couple tied the knot in December 2019 and became parents to their son Christian Georges Dumontet in May 2021. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2024

In the first Marquette University Law School poll since Republican businessman Eric Hovde entered the race, Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin leads among registered voters while the race is tied among likely voters. —Jessie Opoien, Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

The addition of a border security bill comes after a number of House Republicans criticized Johnson for abandoning prior demands to tie Ukraine funding to border provisions. —Claudia Grisales, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024

Three batters later, Butner singled to center field and scored Gonzales and Benji O’Rourke to tie the game. —Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 17 Apr. 2024

Republicans have been quick to tie the Biden administration’s policies to crimes committed by people who entered the country illegally, like the murder of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student who was killed while out for a jog. —Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2024

The former Texas Tech catcher White drilled a ball just inside the third-base bag for an RBI double to tie the game at 7-7. —Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 17 Apr. 2024

Uihlein tied Gooch for second place in Las Vegas earlier this year — one stroke behind winner Dustin Johnson — after finishing second three times the previous two seasons. —Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2024

Noun

The long, lanky defender appealed to Magid because of his story, experience at two different programs and international ties. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2024

The silhouette stands out for its billowy sleeves and chic waist tie. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Bishop Amat 6, La Salle 2: The Lancers scored four runs in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Designs like a white knitwear zip-up jacket with a black Trompe l’oeil tie detail is Badu’s favorite piece he’s designed since launching his brand. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024

And the board asked shareholders to reappoint two directors with close ties to Mr. Musk: the media executive James Murdoch, who has vacationed with Mr. Musk, and Kimbal Musk, his brother. —Jack Ewing, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

That included Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator on the case, according to Read's lawyers, who said Proctor allegedly hid those personal ties. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 17 Apr. 2024

But among likely voters, the race is a tie, with both at 50%. —Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

That’s the longest such streak in Heat history and also ties for the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tie

• black tie
• bola tie
• bolo tie
• bow tie
• hog-tie
• old school tie
• put/tie/strap on the feedbag
• string tie
• tie a bow
• tie-and-dye
• tie-down
• tie-dye
• tie-dyed
• tie-dyeing
• tie in
• tie into
• tie-line
• tie off
• tie one on
• tie oneself (up) in knots
• tie-rod
• tie silk
• tie tac
• tie tack
• tie the knot
• tie up
• tie up loose ends
• tongue-tie
• twist tie
• white tie
• Windsor tie
• zip tie

Kids Definition

tie

1 of 2 noun

ˈtī 

1

: a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed

2

a

: a structural part (as a beam) holding two pieces together

b

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

3

: a bond of kinship or affection

family ties

4

: a curved line joining two musical notes of the same pitch and used to indicate a single tone sustained through the time value of the two notes

5

a

: an equality in number : deadlock

the game ended in a tie

b

: a contest that ends with an equal score

6

: necktie

tie

2 of 2 verb

tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ  or tieing

1

a

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

b

: to form a knot or bow in

tie your scarf

2

: to limit the freedom or actions of

responsibilities tied us down

3

a

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

the two teams tied

b

: to come up with something equal to

tied the score