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View synonyms for harness

harness

[ hahr-nis ]

noun

  1. the combination of straps, bands, and other parts forming the working gear of a draft animal. Compare yoke 1( def 1 ).
  2. (on a loom) the frame containing heddles through which the warp is drawn and which, in combination with another such frame or other frames, forms the shed and determines the woven pattern.
  3. the equipment, as straps, bolts, or gears, by which a large bell is mounted and rung.
  4. Electricity. wiring harness.
  5. armor for persons or horses.


verb (used with object)

  1. to put a harness on (a horse, donkey, dog, etc.); attach by a harness, as to a vehicle.
  2. to bring under conditions for effective use; gain control over for a particular end:

    to harness water power; to harness the energy of the sun.

    Synonyms: exploit, utilize, manage, control

  3. Archaic. to array in armor or equipments of war.

harness

/ ˈhɑːnɪs /

noun

  1. an arrangement of leather straps buckled or looped together, fitted to a draught animal in order that the animal can be attached to and pull a cart
  2. something resembling this, esp for attaching something to the body

    a parachute harness

  3. mountaineering an arrangement of webbing straps that enables a climber to attach himself to the rope so that the impact of a fall is minimized
  4. the total system of electrical leads for a vehicle or aircraft
  5. weaving the part of a loom that raises and lowers the warp threads, creating the shed
  6. archaic.
    armour collectively
  7. in harness
    in harness at one's routine work


verb

  1. to put harness on (a horse)
  2. usually foll by to to attach (a draught animal) by means of harness to (a cart, etc)
  3. to control so as to employ the energy or potential power of

    to harness the atom

  4. to equip or clothe with armour

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Derived Forms

  • ˈharness-ˌlike, adjective
  • ˈharnesser, noun
  • ˈharnessless, adjective

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Other Words From

  • harness·er noun
  • harness·less adjective
  • harness·like adjective
  • re·harness verb (used with object)
  • well-harnessed adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of harness1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English harneis, herneis, from Old French herneis “baggage, equipment,” from Old Norse hernest (unrecorded) “provisions for an armed force,” equivalent to herr “army” ( harbor, herald ) + nest “provisions for a journey”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of harness1

C13: from Old French harneis baggage, probably from Old Norse hernest (unattested) provisions, from herr army + nest provisions

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. in harness,
    1. engaged in one's usual routine of work:

      After his illness he longed to get back in harness.

    2. together as cooperating partners or equals:

      Joe and I worked in harness on our last job.

  2. in double harness. double harness ( def 2 ).

More idioms and phrases containing harness

see die with one's boots on (in harness) in harness .

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Example Sentences

Around 2003, he drove over an hour west of his grandmother’s one-time nursing home to Hawkinsville, population 4,500, a quiet river town in rural central Georgia best known for its harness horse racing track and women’s state prison.

The minimalist shoulder harness gives me full mobility when I’m stand-up paddleboarding, but unlike some minimalist models, the foam padding spans the entire back of the vest, providing a cushion when I’m sitting in a fishing kayak.

Barve and his colleagues had fitted many of the woodpeckers in the area with tiny radio transmitters—which resemble a fanny pack held in place by a harness—to investigate their movements for another project.

A comfortable harnessYou can avoid potentially strangling your dog by buying a harness.

Mynchenberg, who has a master’s degree in human-canine life sciences from Bergin University of Canine Studies, says she likes harnesses with handles because they offer an easy way to grab and hold your pet.

The protests so far have relied on a small group of core organizing bodies to harness broad but diffuse support.

In 1870, the very Germanically-named August Ruengling fixed a harness for a circus rider and obtained free passes for his family.

In 1899, with a three hundred dollar investment, they opened a small saddlery and harness shop.

Whether or not guayusa is a product of selective breeding, the Kichwa have learned to harness its power.

London may as well also require that cabbies master the art of saddling a horse and mending a harness.

In fact, except for Ramona's help, it would have been a question whether even Alessandro could have made Baba work in harness.

An old horse, with traces hanging and harness a wreck, stands snorting beside the boy.

When the number was ended, Burd Alling removed his head-harness and gravely shook hands with Jessie.

She found Mr. Rushmere busy adjusting and sorting divers pieces of harness.

He died in harness, his valiant spirit shining undimmed till the moment it was quenched by death itself.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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Harnackharnessed antelope