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

Health experts advise people taking their dogs and pets to the beach to keep them on leashes, to prevent them from getting too close to marine life. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025

The music video depicted the Colombian superstar walking two Afro Latina women on leashes, while Tokischa posed on all fours inside a doghouse. —Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025

In behind-the-scenes footage from a photo shoot with photographer Jasper Soloff shared to the fake heiress's Instagram, the Dancing with the Stars alum can be seen posing with two bunnies on hot-pink leashes in the streets of New York City. —Tabitha Parent, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

The pair had a miniature Husky-like dog on a leash. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 11 Aug. 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