tied; tying
ˈtī-iŋ 
or tieing
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
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
: 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
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
Synonyms
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
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
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
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
Phrases Containing tie
Dictionary Entries Near tie
Cite this Entry
“Tie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tie. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
tie
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
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
Nglish: Translation of tie for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tie for Arabic Speakers
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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