leash

noun

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.
Shirley is young and obnoxious, compulsively going live on Instagram and carrying her phone around on a little beaded leash. Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025 According to the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, cat owners can lessen the impacts an outdoor cat can have on the environment, by training their felines to walk on a leash. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2025 However, others claimed the pet owner was in the wrong for not keeping her dog on a leash. Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025 Officials said Pantano Wash is a popular hiking spot, so dog owners are advised to keep their animals on a leash while in the area. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025 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

Dictionary Entries Near leash

Cite this Entry

“Leash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leash. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

leash

noun
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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