26984 words

tie

19 definitions • 37 examples
1
to fasten together two ends of a piece of string or other long, thin material, or to (cause to) hold together with a long, thin piece of string, material, etc.:

Examples:

Could you tie this piece of string for me?
This skirt ties at the waist.
tie something in something She tied the ribbon tightly in a bow/knot.
tie something back I tie my hair back when it's hot.
tie something (up) Tie (up) your shoelaces, or you'll trip over them.
2
to relate to or connect to:

Examples:

be tied to Is the allergy tied to dairy products, for example?
tie something up with something Can you tie his behaviour up with anything that's happened recently?
The Republicans are trying to tie the funding up with this bill.
3
to finish at the same time or score the same number of points, etc. in a competition as someone or something else:

Examples:

tie (for) Jane and I tied (for first place) in the spelling test.
tie with We tied with a team from the south in the championships.
4
to write a curved line over or under two musical notes to show that they must be played as if they are one note:

Examples:

Bartók's score contains many long tied notes.
5
a long, thin piece of material that is worn under a shirt collar, especially by men, and tied in a knot at the front:

Examples:

He always wears a jacket and tie to work.
6
any piece of string, plastic, metal, etc. that is used to fasten or hold together something:

Examples:

Can you see the ties for the rubbish bags in the cupboard?
7
the friendly feelings that people have for other people, or special connections with places:

Examples:

family ties Family ties are weaker if you move a long way away.
8
a situation in which two or more people finish at the same time or score the same number of points:

Examples:

tie for It's a tie for first place.
They have changed the scoring system because there have been too many ties.
9
a curved line written over or under musical notes to show that they must be played as if they are one note:

Examples:

The minim is joined to its neighbouring crotchet with a tie.
10
to fasten together two pieces of string or other long, thin material, or to hold together with string, rope, etc.:

Examples:

[ I ] This dress ties at the back.
[ T ] She tied the ribbon in a bow/knot.
11
to finish at the same time or score the same number of points as someone or something else in a competition:

Examples:

Jane and I tied for first place.
The score is tied (up) at 3 to 3.
12
a connection or relationship between people, or a connection a person has with a place, interest, activity, etc.:

Examples:

a tie to the past
Gray had close ties with other powerful politicians.
He is a businessman and developer with strong ties to Beijing.
13
a long, thin piece of material worn esp. by men which fits under a shirt collar, is tied in a knot, and hangs down the front of the shirt:

Examples:

a silk tie
14
A tie is also any piece of string, plastic, etc., used to hold together something:

Examples:

Can you find the ties for the garbage bags?
15
the fact of finishing at the same time or scoring the same number of points as someone or something else in a competition:

Examples:

It’s a tie for first place.
16
to connect two things in a way that limits other possibilities:

Examples:

tie sth to sth We now have the option of tying funding to environmental conditions.
tie sb to sth Many of the bank's employees were tied to their jobs because they were worried about losing their pension schemes.
17
to have the same score or level in a game, competition, or comparison, or to make the scores the same:

Examples:

tie for first/second/last, etc. place Frederick and Fairfax counties each reported 4.2% job growth, tying for 18th place in the US as a whole.
tie the score/record The temperature in the afternoon hit 97 degrees, tying the record for June 2.
18

Examples:

ties with sb/sth He makes no apologies for his ties with the failed bank.
The two leading bidders have close ties with American media groups.
break/cut/sever ties One of the world's biggest hotel operators severed its ties with the popular travel website.
19
a long thin piece of material that is worn under a shirt collar, especially by men, and tied in a knot at the front:

Examples:

Men are expected to wear a suit and tie in the office.

Navigation