tether

/ˈtɛðər/

/ˈtɛðə/

Other forms: tethered; tethering; tethers

Both a verb and a noun, tether keeps things tied together, or is the tie itself. Remember, when you tether that chair to those balloons, use a strong tether. You don't want to drop from the sky because you tied them together using a cheap piece of rope.

Think of the childhood game tether-ball. The ball is tethered to a pole by a tether. Tether usually refers to a rope or a chain, but it can also refer to an invisible bond or link. For example, the Internet can serve as a tether that links you to your pen pal in Germany. The love between a mother and her child keeps them tethered to each other for a lifetime. And whenever astronauts go for jaunts outside the space station, they tether themselves to the station using wires and a hook.

Definitions of tether

1. noun

   restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain), often used to restrain an animal
   synonyms: lead, leash

   type of:

   constraint, restraint

   a device that impede's something's motion
2. verb

   tie with a tether
   “tether horses”

   type of:

   attach

   cause to be attached