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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026har•ness /ˈhɑrnɪs/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
- the parts other than the yoke that are attached to a horse's body or head to control it.
- Textilessomething resembling a harness.
v. [~ + object]
- to put a harness on;
attach by a harness:The horse was harnessed to the plow.
- to gain control over for a particular end:The hydroelectric plant harnesses water power.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026har•ness
(här′nis),USA pronunciation n.
- the combination of straps, bands, and other parts forming the working gear of a draft animal. Cf. yoke1 (def. 1).
- Textiles(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.
- the equipment, as straps, bolts, or gears, by which a large bell is mounted and rung.
- ElectricitySee wiring harness.
- Heraldryarmor for persons or horses.
- Idioms in double harness. See double harness (def. 2).
- Idioms in harness:
- engaged in one's usual routine of work:After his illness he longed to get back in harness.
- together as cooperating partners or equals:Joe and I worked in harness on our last job.
v.t.
- to put a harness on (a horse, donkey, dog, etc.);
attach by a harness, as to a vehicle.
- 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.
- [Archaic.]to array in armor or equipments of war.
- Old Norse *hernest provisions for an armed force, equivalent. to herr army (compare harbor, herald) + nest provisions for a journey
- Old French herneis baggage, equipment
- Middle English harneis, herneis 1250–1300
9. control, manage, utilize, exploit.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
harness /ˈhɑːnɪs/ n - 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
- something resembling this, esp for attaching something to the body: a parachute harness
- the part of a loom that raises and lowers the warp threads, creating the shed
- archaic armour collectively
- in harness ⇒ at one's routine work
vb (transitive)- to put harness on (a horse)
- (usually followed by to) to attach (a draught animal) by means of harness to (a cart, etc)
- to control so as to employ the energy or potential power of: to harness the atom
- to equip or clothe with armour
Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French harneis baggage, probably from Old Norse hernest (unattested) provisions, from herr army + nest provisionsˈharnesser n
'harness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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