noun
tether
TEH-thuh
Tether (noun) means a rope or chain that keeps an animal or object within a limited range while still allowing some movement. Example: “The goat grazed at the end of its tether.”
noun
1
A rope or chain that keeps an animal or object within a limited range while still allowing some movement.
"The goat grazed at the end of its tether."
2
The limit of someone's patience, resources, or ability to cope.
"After three sleepless nights, she was at the end of her tether."
verb
1
To tie something up so it cannot move far.
"They tethered the boat to the dock overnight."
2
To connect a phone to another device so it can share its internet connection.
"I tethered my laptop to my phone when the café Wi-Fi went down."
How to use tether
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA rope that limits how far something can move, or figuratively, the point where someone runs out of patience — also used for sharing a phone's internet connection.
Common pairings
at the end of one's tether
tether a phone
tethered to the dock
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Word forms
- Plural
- tethers
- Third person singular
- tethers
- Past tense
- tethered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The goat grazed at the end of its _____.
Etymology
From Old English or Old Norse roots meaning "rope" or "cord", ultimately traced back to an ancient root meaning "to tie" or "to pull".
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for tether
See all rhymes for tether →Frequently asked questions
What does “tether” mean?
The word “tether” means a rope or chain that keeps an animal or object within a limited range while still allowing some movement. In plain terms, a rope that limits how far something can move, or figuratively, the point where someone runs out of patience — also used for sharing a phone's internet connection.
How do you pronounce “tether”?
“Tether” is pronounced TEH-thuh (/ˈtɛðəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tether” in a sentence?
Here is “tether” used in a sentence: “The goat grazed at the end of its tether.”
What is another word for “tether”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tether” include hobble.
What part of speech is “tether”?
Depending on how it is used, “tether” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tether” come from?
The word “tether” comes from Old English. From Old English or Old Norse roots meaning "rope" or "cord", ultimately traced back to an ancient root meaning "to tie" or "to pull".
How many meanings does “tether” have?
“Tether” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rope or chain that keeps an animal or object within a limited range while still allowing some movement.
