leash

noun

ˈlēsh 

1

a

: a line for leading or restraining an animal

b

: something that restrains : the state of being restrained

keeping spending on a tight leash

2

a

: a set of three animals (such as greyhounds, foxes, bucks, or hares)

b

: a set of three

leash transitive verb

Examples of leash in a Sentence

put a dog on a leash

Dogs must be kept on a leash while in the park.

The dog saw a cat and was straining at its leash trying to get at it.

Recent Examples on the Web

The very fact that Snell was left in to start the sixth inning showed just how much Roberts’ bullpen has forced him to extend the leash on his starters. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

The recognition ties closely to Purina’s Purple Leash Project, a partnership with nonprofit RedRover that works to support domestic violence survivors on both ends of the leash by creating more pet-friendly domestic violence shelters across the country. —William Earl, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025

For this is sacred time, time out of time, without ballast or anchor, without leash or link. —Joy Williams, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Clearly, the leash will be very short for Arnold on Saturday. —Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lees, leshe, from Anglo-French *lesche, lesse, probably from lesser to leave, let go

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing leash

• leash law
• strain at the leash

Rhymes for leash

• quiche
• pastiche
• unleash

Kids Definition

leash

noun

ˈlēsh 

1

: a line for leading or controlling an animal

2

: something that restrains : the state of being restrained

kept spending on a tight leash

leash verb