The term "harness" has been used for many centuries for part of the collection of equipment known as horse tack, essential in the domestic, military, and agrarian use of horses. Several derived contexts now exist. Examples:

• Child harness
• Climbing harness
• Dildo harness (a "marital aid," used for a strap-on dildo)
• Dog harness
• Grappling and wrestling holds which encircle the body like a harness.
• Hang gliding and parachuting use harnesses
• Harness racing and see related articles such as Australian Inter Dominion Harness Racing Championship
• Lunatic Harness (a musical album)
• "Tidal harness" is a device for generating tidal power
• Windsurfing harness as used in the sport of windsurfing
• Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers
• Parrot harness
• Software Test harness