tether Meaning & Definition
What Does Tether Mean?
Tether is a noun that means a line (as of rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so as to restrict its range of movement. It can also mean a line to which someone or something is attached (as for security). As a verb, it means to fasten or restrain by or as if by a tether.
Tether at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈte-t͟hər/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | lead, leash and hobble |
| Plural | tethers |
| Verb forms | tethers, tethering, tethered |
Tether Definition (Noun)
- a line (as of rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so as to restrict its range of movement
- a line to which someone or something is attached (as for security)
A crewman can clip the tether of his harness to the [safety line] and leave it clipped as he makes his way forward and aft.
- the limit of one's strength or resources
I'm at the end of my tether.
Tether as a Verb
- to fasten or restrain by or as if by a tether
felt tethered to her desk until the work was done
Synonyms of Tether
Tether synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Tether
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Tether in a Sentence
Since his hours have increased, I feel that he is at the end of his tether.
Despite moving, he maintained a strong tether to his culture back home.
The cowboy tethered his horse outside the saloon.
A crewman can clip the tether of his harness to the [safety line] and leave it clipped as he makes his way forward and aft.
I'm at the end of my tether.
felt tethered to her desk until the work was done
I tethered the boat to the dock before coming ashore.
Word Forms & Grammar
tether
tethers
teth·ered
teth·er·ing
tethered
tethering
tether (plural tethers)
tether (third-person singular simple present tethers, present participle tethering, simple past and past participle tethered)
Words That Rhyme With Tether
Origin of Tether
Origin 1: Middle English tethir, teder, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tjōthr tether; akin to Old High German zeotar pole of a wagon
Origin 2: From Middle English tether, teder, from Old English *tēoder and/or Old Norse tjóðr ( > Danish tøjr, Swedish tjuder); both from Proto-Germanic *teudrą (“rope; cord; shaft”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *dewtro-, from Proto-Indo-European *dew- (“to tie”), or from Proto-Indo-European *dewk- (“to pull”). Cognate with North German Tüder (“tether for binding the cattle”), Swedish tjuder (“tether for binding cattle”).
First Known Use
14th century
15th century
Tether Pronunciation
You say tether as /ˈte-t͟hər/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (te).
Quick Answers About Tether
Is tether a noun or a verb?
Tether is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for tether?
Close synonyms of tether are lead, leash and hobble. See the full list of tether synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of tether?
The plural of tether is tethers.
What is the past tense of tether?
The past tense of tether is tethered. The present participle is tethering.