leash

noun

ˈlēsh How to pronounce leash (audio)
Synonyms of leashnext
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each state has chosen a different leash with which to collar its national champions. — Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026 Early Sunday morning, near the Place de la République, a part-time crossing guard named Joëlle, 71, scanned the wreckage along the Boulevard Voltaire from a bench, holding her shaggy shepherd mix, Pollux, on a leash. — Michael Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Even before the announcement about Hurts, Sirianni and the Eagles were on a short leash with their notoriously hard-to-please fan base. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026 But now even some red states are considering tightening the leash, including Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Iowa. — Andrew Hawkins, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for leash

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of leash was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing leash

Rhymes for leash

See All Rhymes for leash

Browse Nearby Words

lease system
leash
leash law
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leash. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

leash

noun
ˈlēsh How to pronounce leash (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on leash

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for leash

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