tie

1 of 2

verb

tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ How to pronounce tie (audio) 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
b
: a low laced shoe : oxford
tieless 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

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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
After dropping both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader, the Red Sox are tied for last place in the American League East with the Yankees. Andrew Mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2023 After playing love interests on the series, Kit Harington and Rose Leslie tied the knot in 2018 with costars Turner, Williams, Clarke and Peter Dinklage in attendance. Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023 Living and deceased artists, songwriters, record executives, managers and concert promoters tied to elevating folk, Americana and roots music were all eligible. Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2023 Rahman speculates that the Android Thread news could also be tied to Android TV devices (newer Apple TV devices support Thread). Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 12 Sep. 2023 Thread the ends of your laces through the last hole, closest to your heel, on the same side, to make a little loop—then, cross them through that loop on the opposite side before tying them. Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 12 Sep. 2023 Another Russian group tied to its FSB intelligence agency known as Berserk Bear has repeatedly breached the US power grid to gain a similar capability, but without ever attempting to cause a disruption. Andy Greenberg, WIRED, 12 Sep. 2023 There is no hope if the Timbers lose or tie on Saturday, though. oregonlive, 1 Sep. 2023 The Equalizer 3 is your fifth collaboration with Denzel, and you’re now tied with the late great Tony Scott as his most frequent collaborator. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Sep. 2023
Noun
Mali for example has driven out French troops and cut diplomatic ties with France. Stephanie Busari, CNN, 1 Sep. 2023 What this record does for me is tie memories of my early childhood and my adult life together in a way no other record does. Liza Lentini, Spin, 1 Sep. 2023 The project also inadvertently strengthened family ties. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023 With the win, the Timbers (7-11-8, 29 points) move into a tie for 11th in the Western Conference with Sporting Kansas City with eight matches to go. oregonlive, 31 Aug. 2023 White supremacy is a unifying thread through these stories of police ties to right-wing militias and hate groups. Brynn Tannehill, The New Republic, 31 Aug. 2023 Pash was punctual, by the book and always in uniform; Berg was erratic, informal and often seen wearing a loose tie. Zachary Clary, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023 Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has long celebrated ties to Trump and his wing of the Republican Party. Steven Erlanger, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Aug. 2023 An intermission tie at 21-21 allowed for a respite as both teams looked to regroup in the locker room. Ledeai, The Courier-Journal, 19 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tie.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tie was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tie. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

tie

1 of 2 noun
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

tie

2 of 2 verb
tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ How to pronounce tie (audio) 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

More from Merriam-Webster on tie

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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