tie

1 of 2

verb

ˈtī 

tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ  or tieing

transitive verb

1

a

: to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie

b

: to form a knot or bow in

tie your scarf

c

: to make by tying constituent elements

tied a wreath

tie a fishing fly

2

a

: to place or establish in relationship : connect

b

: to unite in marriage

c

: to unite (musical notes) by a tie

d

: to join (power systems) electrically

3

: to restrain from independence or freedom of action or choice : constrain by or as if by authority, influence, agreement, or obligation

4

a(1)

: to make or have an equal score with in a contest

(2)

: to equalize (the score) in a game or contest

(3)

: to equalize the score of (a game)

b

: to provide or offer something equal to : equal

intransitive verb

: to make a tie: such as

a

: to make a bond or connection

b

: to make an equal score

c

: to become attached

d

: to close by means of a tie

tie

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed

especially : shoelace

b(1)

: a structural element (such as a rod or angle iron) holding two pieces together : a tension member in a construction

(2)

: any of the transverse supports to which railroad rails are fastened to keep them in line

2

: something that serves as a connecting link: such as

a

: a moral or legal obligation to someone or something typically constituting a restraining power, influence, or duty

b

: a bond of kinship or affection

3

: a curved line that joins two musical notes of the same pitch to denote a single tone sustained through the time value of the two

4

a

: an equality in number (as of votes or scores)

b

: equality in a contest

also : a contest that ends in a draw

5

: a method or style of tying or knotting

6

: something that is knotted or is to be knotted when worn: such as

a

: necktie

b

: a low laced shoe : oxford

tieless

ˈtī-ləs 

adjective

Phrases

tie into

: to attack with vigor

tie one on

slang

: to get drunk

tie the knot

: to perform a marriage ceremony

also : to get married

Synonyms

Verb

• band
• bind
• truss

Noun

• dead heat
• draw
• stalemate
• standoff

Examples of tie in a Sentence

Verb

His kidnappers tied him to a chair.

She tied a scarf around her neck.

She tied knots in the rope.

You need to tie your shoe.

His hands and feet had been tied together.

She tied the apron loosely around her waist.

The team still has a chance to tie.

I had the lead but he tied me by making a birdie on the last hole.

Her time tied the world record.

He tied the school's record in the high jump.

Noun

He was wearing a suit and tie.

You have a spot on your tie.

The pants have a tie at the top.

He was not ready to accept the ties of family life.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Despite problems that would have destroyed other candidates, presumptive 2024 GOP White House nominee Donald Trump is basically tied with Biden little more than six months before Election Day. —David Jackson, USA TODAY, 30 Apr. 2024

The shot, which would’ve tied the score and probably forced overtime, was ruled a two. —Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2024

The 16-year veteran tied the game with a two-run blast in the first inning. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 30 Apr. 2024

Protestors listen to a speaker during a pro-Palestinian encampment on Columbia University campus, advocating for financial disclosure and divestment from all companies tied to Israel and calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza., on April 29. —TIME, 30 Apr. 2024

Like Kepler, first baseman Carlos Santana has heated up lately, and his fourth home run in the last five days — a two-run blast — tied the game in the second. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 30 Apr. 2024

Starting at the chest all the way down to the floor, the dress was covered in black ribbons tied into bows, on the bodice, skirt and arms. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024

The department said the charges are not tied to Muhammad’s police work. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Apr. 2024

Billboard reported Sunday that Tortured Poets debuted at No.1, marking Swift’s 14th chart-topping album in her career, which ties Jay-Z for the most No.1s among solo artists in history. —Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Apr. 2024

Noun

The long, lanky defender appealed to Magid because of his story, experience at two different programs and international ties. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 19 Apr. 2024

The silhouette stands out for its billowy sleeves and chic waist tie. —Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024

Bishop Amat 6, La Salle 2: The Lancers scored four runs in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024

Designs like a white knitwear zip-up jacket with a black Trompe l’oeil tie detail is Badu’s favorite piece he’s designed since launching his brand. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 17 Apr. 2024

And the board asked shareholders to reappoint two directors with close ties to Mr. Musk: the media executive James Murdoch, who has vacationed with Mr. Musk, and Kimbal Musk, his brother. —Jack Ewing, New York Times, 17 Apr. 2024

That included Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator on the case, according to Read's lawyers, who said Proctor allegedly hid those personal ties. —Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 17 Apr. 2024

But among likely voters, the race is a tie, with both at 50%. —Journal Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2024

That’s the longest such streak in Heat history and also ties for the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English teg, tye, from Old English tēag; akin to Old Norse taug rope, Old English tēon to pull — more at tow entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tie

• black tie
• bola tie
• bolo tie
• bow tie
• hog-tie
• old school tie
• put/tie/strap on the feedbag
• string tie
• tie a bow
• tie-and-dye
• tie-down
• tie-dye
• tie-dyed
• tie-dyeing
• tie in
• tie into
• tie-line
• tie off
• tie one on
• tie oneself (up) in knots
• tie-rod
• tie silk
• tie tac
• tie tack
• tie the knot
• tie up
• tie up loose ends
• tongue-tie
• twist tie
• white tie
• Windsor tie
• zip tie

Kids Definition

tie

1 of 2 noun

ˈtī 

1

: a line, ribbon, or cord used for fastening, uniting, or drawing something closed

2

a

: a structural part (as a beam) holding two pieces together

b

: one of the cross supports to which railroad rails are fastened

3

: a bond of kinship or affection

family ties

4

: a curved line joining two musical notes of the same pitch and used to indicate a single tone sustained through the time value of the two notes

5

a

: an equality in number : deadlock

the game ended in a tie

b

: a contest that ends with an equal score

6

: necktie

tie

2 of 2 verb

tied; tying ˈtī-iŋ  or tieing

1

a

: to fasten, attach, or close by means of a tie

b

: to form a knot or bow in

tie your scarf

2

: to limit the freedom or actions of

responsibilities tied us down

3

a

: to make or have an equal score with in a contest

the two teams tied

b

: to come up with something equal to

tied the score