The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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harness

verb

/ˈhɑːnɪs/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of harness

To control and make use of something, often in a productive or beneficial way.
"The engineers were able to harness the energy of the sun to power the building."

Detailed meaning of harness

The term is often used in relation to physical forces or energy sources, such as the wind, the sun, or the power of a river. When someone harnesses a force or energy source, they are able to capture and control it in order to generate power or perform useful work. Harnessing can also refer to the act of taking advantage of a resource or opportunity, such as harnessing the skills and talents of a team of workers. The concept of harnessing is important in many different fields, from engineering and technology to business and management, and can be both positive and negative in its effects. On the one hand, harnessing physical forces or resources can help to promote innovation and economic growth, while on the other hand, it can also lead to environmental degradation or exploitation if not done responsibly. To harness resources effectively, it is important to take a long-term and sustainable approach that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations. By doing so, it is possible to harness resources in a way that benefits both individuals and society as a whole.

Example sentences containing harness

1. They harnessed solar power to generate electricity.
2. He learned to harness the wind's energy for his farm.
3. She sought to harness her creativity in her artwork.
4. The team worked to harness the river's potential for irrigation.
5. The company aims to harness artificial intelligence for innovation.
6. We need to harness technology to improve healthcare.

History and etymology of harness

The verb 'harness' has an interesting etymology that can be traced back to the Old French word 'harnais,' which referred to the equipment or gear used for horses, particularly the harness for a horse-drawn carriage. 'Harnais' itself can be linked to the Old High German word 'harnas,' with a similar meaning. The transition in meaning from horse gear to the verb 'harness' involves the idea of controlling and making use of the power of horses for productive purposes. Over time, this concept expanded to encompass the idea of controlling and utilizing various forces or resources for beneficial purposes beyond just horses. Therefore, the etymology of 'harness' reflects its historical association with the management and productive utilization of power and resources.

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Further usage examples of harness

1. The scientists harnessed data to make groundbreaking discoveries.
2. He wanted to harness the dog's energy for agility training.
3. Harness the power of social media for marketing.
4. The entrepreneur harnessed her passion to start a business.
5. Harness your focus to excel in your studies.
6. They plan to harness geothermal energy for heating.
7. The pilot had to harness all his skill for a safe landing.
8. The organization aims to harness community support for change.
9. We can harness teamwork to achieve our goals.
10. Harness the sun's warmth for a cozy home.
11. She aimed to harness her anxiety for personal growth.
12. They harnessed the ocean's currents for clean energy.
13. Harness the potential of young talent for innovation.
14. The coach worked to harness the team's potential for success.
15. The blacksmith will harness the power of fire to shape the metal.
16. We need to harness technology to solve problems more effectively.
17. She was able to harness her passion to achieve her goals.
18. We must harness our collective resources to make a difference.
19. The company's goal is to harness the potential of the new technology.
20. The coach sought to harness the athlete's raw talent and turn it into a refined skill.
21. It took some time to harness the horse and attach the plow.
22. We need to harness the power of social media to reach more people.
23. The farmer was able to harness the power of the wind to generate electricity for his farm.
24. The project aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve healthcare.
25. The researchers were able to harness the immune system to fight cancer.