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

The movie, which follows two cousins on a trip to their late grandmother’s hometown in Poland, recently tied with Deadpool & Wolverine for best comedy at the Critics Choice Awards. —Zoe G. Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2025

Big or small, printed or tied, the iconic shape will always bring a feminine, fun, flirty flair to the function. —Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 11 Feb. 2025

Noun

The game was on when Missouri held Texas A&M scoreless for more than five minutes to forge a 49-49 tie. —Tom Murphy, arkansasonline.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Vancouver’s Thomas Gradin and Ivan Hlinka each score against Red Wings goalie Gilles Gilbert in the third period of a 4-4 tie at Detroit’s Joe Louis Arena. 1988 — Wayne Gretzky gets his NHL-record ninth 100-point season. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2025

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-line
• tie off
• tie oneself (up) in knots
• tie-rod
• tie silk
• tie tac
• tie tack
• 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