plural tethers
: a rope or chain that is used to tie an animal to a post, wall, etc., so that it will stay in a particular area
tethers; tethered; tethering
: to use a rope or chain to tie (an animal) to something in order to keep it in a particular area
They tethered the horses in the shade.
The dog was tethered to the fence.
—often used figurativelyShe can't stand being tethered to her desk all day. [=having to stay at her desk all day]
Cite this Entry
“Tether.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/tether. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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