1
: a slowdown or stoppage of traffic, business, or operation (as by a mechanical breakdown)
2
: connection, association
helpful financial tie-ups
3
a
: a cow stable
also
: a space for a single cow in a stable
b
: a mooring place for a boat
tied up; tying up or tieing up; ties up
1
: to attach, fasten, or bind securely
also
: to wrap up and fasten
2
a
: to connect closely : join
tie up the loose ends
b
: to cause to be linked so as to depend on or relate to something
3
a
: to place or invest in such a manner as to make unavailable for other purposes
their money was tied up in stocks
b
: to restrain from normal movement, operation, or progress
traffic was tied up for miles
4
a
: to keep busy
was tied up in conference all day
b
: to preempt the use of
tied up the phone for an hour
1
: dock entry 2
the ferry ties up at the south slip
2
: to assume a definite relationship
this ties up with what I told you before
Synonyms
Examples of tie-up in a Sentence
Verb
an accident is tying up traffic at 5th and Broadway
Recent Examples on the Web
WSJ, 8 Sep. 2023
For its new tie-up with Luckin, each cup has just a tiny fraction of liquor, with an overall alcohol content of about 0.5%, according to Luckin.
—Berry Wang, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023
Doja Cat appears toward the end of the teaser in a nude-toned, sparkling bra and matching see-through pants, paired with a long gold trench coat and tie-up boots.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2023
Offered in 23 colors, the modern A-line dress has functional details, including a waist tie and tie-up ribbon strap, which allow for a customizable fit.
—Tanisha Pina, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2023
The tie-up that Jones and his team heavily championed launched one of the most lucrative movie-plus-marketing twofers in showbiz history.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
Clearly Blackpink’s Jennie Kim has been taking notes, with the K-pop star sporting a pair of Cecilie Bahnsen X Asics Mary-Jane trainers, featuring the Danish designer’s signature floral motif and tie-up detailing, while in New York.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2023
Like the Rove, the Lite Leash moves seamlessly from hands-free to handheld to tie-up positions without missing a beat.
—Mike Richard, Women's Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Topics covered include traffic tie-ups, criminal activity, missing persons and severe weather.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
John Koopman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2023
Four of the victims were tied up in the living room as the suspects demanded to know where the valuables were kept.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2023
In the distance, boats tied up in the water bobbed up and down, and beyond that, fog partially obscured Bar Island.
—John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
That answer is complicated and tied up with Congress.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 14 Sep. 2023
That was the year, it may be recalled, when a major campaign theme was tied up with George H.W. Bush’s unfamiliarity with a supermarket scanner.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Utes get on the board It’s all tied up in Waco, after Cole Becker made a 31-yard field goal with 9:04 left in the second quarter.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Cooking Time for Thanksgiving Turkey: A Pound by Pound Guide
How To Store Turkey Leftovers
Don't tie up valuable space in the refrigerator with the turkey carcass.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
The plot features a self-aware Beetle that is tied up in hijinks while also proving itself a successful race car.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
Noun
Kroger and Albertsons, which are set to merge, announced the companies would sell more than 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers to complete their tie-up.
—WSJ, 8 Sep. 2023
For its new tie-up with Luckin, each cup has just a tiny fraction of liquor, with an overall alcohol content of about 0.5%, according to Luckin.
—Berry Wang, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023
Doja Cat appears toward the end of the teaser in a nude-toned, sparkling bra and matching see-through pants, paired with a long gold trench coat and tie-up boots.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 30 Aug. 2023
Offered in 23 colors, the modern A-line dress has functional details, including a waist tie and tie-up ribbon strap, which allow for a customizable fit.
—Tanisha Pina, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2023
The tie-up that Jones and his team heavily championed launched one of the most lucrative movie-plus-marketing twofers in showbiz history.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2023
Clearly Blackpink’s Jennie Kim has been taking notes, with the K-pop star sporting a pair of Cecilie Bahnsen X Asics Mary-Jane trainers, featuring the Danish designer’s signature floral motif and tie-up detailing, while in New York.
—Emily Chan, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2023
Like the Rove, the Lite Leash moves seamlessly from hands-free to handheld to tie-up positions without missing a beat.
—Mike Richard, Women's Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Topics covered include traffic tie-ups, criminal activity, missing persons and severe weather.
—Jon Healey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2023
Verb
Your self-worth is no longer tied up in following society’s rules.
—John Koopman, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2023
Four of the victims were tied up in the living room as the suspects demanded to know where the valuables were kept.
—Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2023
In the distance, boats tied up in the water bobbed up and down, and beyond that, fog partially obscured Bar Island.
—John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Sep. 2023
That answer is complicated and tied up with Congress.
—Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 14 Sep. 2023
That was the year, it may be recalled, when a major campaign theme was tied up with George H.W. Bush’s unfamiliarity with a supermarket scanner.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023
Utes get on the board It’s all tied up in Waco, after Cole Becker made a 31-yard field goal with 9:04 left in the second quarter.
—Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
Cooking Time for Thanksgiving Turkey: A Pound by Pound Guide
How To Store Turkey Leftovers
Don't tie up valuable space in the refrigerator with the turkey carcass.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 5 Sep. 2023
The plot features a self-aware Beetle that is tied up in hijinks while also proving itself a successful race car.
—Alexander Stoklosa, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tie-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1851, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Verb
1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near tie-up
Cite this Entry
“Tie-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tie-up. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
tie-up
1 of 2 nounˈtī-ˌəp
1
: a slowing or stopping especially of traffic or business
tie up
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)tī-ˈəp
1
: to fasten securely
2
a
: to use in such a manner as not to be available for other purposes
money tied up in stocks
b
: to keep from working or going
traffic was tied up for hours
3
: to have a relationship with something else
this ties up with what you said before
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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