Definitions for harnessˈhɑr nɪs

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word harness

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

har•nessˈhɑr nɪs(n.)

  1. the combination of straps, bands, and other parts forming the working gear of a draft animal.

    Ref: Compare yoke (def. 1). 1 1

  2. (on a loom) the frame containing heddles through which the warp threads are drawn.

    Category: Textiles

  3. armor for persons or horses.

    Category: Heraldry

  4. (v.t.)to put a harness on (a horse, donkey, dog, etc.); attach by a harness, as to a vehicle.

  5. to bring under conditions for effective use; gain control over for a particular end:

    to harness water power.

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

Idioms for harness:

  1. in harness, engaged in one's usual routine; working.

    Category: Idiom

Origin of harness:

1250–1300; ME harneis, herneis < OF herneis baggage, equipment

Princeton's WordNet

  1. harness(noun)


  2. harness(verb)


  3. harness, tackle(verb)

    put a harness

    "harness the horse"

  4. harness(verb)

    exploit the power of

    "harness natural forces and resources"

  5. harness, rein in, draw rein, rein(verb)

    control and direct with or as if by reins

    "rein a horse"

  6. rule, harness, rein(verb)

    keep in check

    "rule one's temper"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. harness(noun)ˈhɑr nɪs

    leather straps that connect an animal's body to the vehicle it is pulling

    He put the harness on the horse.

  2. harnessˈhɑr nɪs

    straps fastened around sb's body to prevent them from falling

    a climber's harness

  3. harness(verb)ˈhɑr nɪs

    to control and make use of sth

    ways to harness the power of the waves

  4. harnessˈhɑr nɪs

    to put a harness on an animal

    to harness up the horses


  1. harness(Noun)

    A restraint or support, especially one consisting of a loop or network of rope or straps.

  2. harness(Noun)

    A collection of wires or cables bundled and routed according to their function.

  3. harness(Verb)

    to place a harness on something; to tie up or restrain

    They harnessed the horse to the post.

  4. harness(Verb)

    to capture, control or put to use

    Imagine what might happen if it were possible to harness solar energy fully.

  5. Origin: harneis, hernois.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Harness(noun)

    originally, the complete dress, especially in a military sense, of a man or a horse; hence, in general, armor

  2. Harness(noun)

    the equipment of a draught or carriage horse, for drawing a wagon, coach, chaise, etc.; gear; tackling

  3. Harness(noun)

    the part of a loom comprising the heddles, with their means of support and motion, by which the threads of the warp are alternately raised and depressed for the passage of the shuttle

  4. Harness(verb)

    to dress in armor; to equip with armor for war, as a horseman; to array

  5. Harness(verb)

    fig.: To equip or furnish for defense

  6. Harness(verb)

    to make ready for draught; to equip with harness, as a horse. Also used figuratively


  1. Harness

    Harness is a fictional mutant character in the Marvel Comics universe. Her first appearance was in New Mutants Annual #7.

Translations for harness

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary


to put the harness on (a horse).

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