harness

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈhɑrnɪs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular harness

Plural harnesses

1. (countable) A harness is a set of straps used to control an animal, especially a horse.
   • Synonym: tack

   The horse's harness was made of leather.

2. (countable) A harness is a set of straps worn for safety, such as when climbing or working at heights.

   She wore a safety harness while climbing the mountain.

Verb

Plain form harness

Third-person singular harnesses

Past tense harnessed

Past participle harnessed

Present participle harnessing

1. (transitive) If you harness something, you control and use it, especially energy or natural resources.
   • Synonyms: utilize, utilise and exploit

   They are trying to harness solar power to generate electricity.

2. (transitive) If you harness an animal, you put a harness on it.

   The farmer harnessed the horses to the plow.

Related words

• unharness