noose

[ noos ]

noun

1. a loop with a running knot, as in a snare, lasso, or hangman's halter, that tightens as the rope is pulled.
2. a tie or bond; snare.

verb (used with object)

, noosed, noos·ing.

1. to secure by or as by a noose.
2. to make a noose with or in (a rope or the like).

noose

/ nuːs /

noun

1. a loop in the end of a rope or cord, such as a lasso, snare, or hangman's halter, usually tied with a slipknot
2. something that restrains, binds, or traps
3. put one's head in a noose
   to bring about one's own downfall

verb

1. to secure or catch in or as if in a noose
2. to make a noose of or in

Other Words From

• nooser noun
• un·noosed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of noose¹

1400–50; late Middle English nose < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of noose¹

C15: perhaps from Provençal nous, from Latin nōdus node

Example Sentences

Williams was a moderator for the board and owner of its Web address, so he removed the noose instructions.

From Washington Post

During the riot at the Capitol in January, some people attending the rally erected a noose outside the building.

From FiveThirtyEight

Others had plastic handcuffs, suggesting the noose fashioned from TV cords nearby might have been more than a prop.

From Time

You can use a solid 550 cord strand on snare nooses and triggers.

From Popular-Science

The huge owl moved away from us with awkward bounds along the broad, snowy bank, dragging the noose carpet with it, until finally, when we were only meters away, the raptor spun onto its back on the river’s edge.

From Popular-Science

According to reports, two white men approached the statue in the early morning and placed a tight noose on its neck.

From The Daily Beast

The cover image of your book—a dangling badge—resembles a noose, understandably so.

From The Daily Beast

But for Israel the “Arab Spring” represents  a dramatic, abrupt tightening of the noose.

From The Daily Beast

It has recently ruled over the country with an iron fist, increasingly solidifying its noose on civil rights and governance.

From The Daily Beast

Tighten this noose and make Khartoum a very small place to live.

From The Daily Beast

But Chipper was a bright young man, and he found a way of using a spear-noose so that he could throw as well as Bighorn.

From Project Gutenberg

The spear-noose was a great help to hunters whose hands were not large and strong.

From Project Gutenberg

A small loop, slipped over the point of the lower stick, held the noose in position.

From Project Gutenberg

Before I could make a beginning at freeing my hands a noose fell over my head and clutched at my throat.

From Project Gutenberg

"A Greaser crept up behind me, sir, and threw a noose that got tangled around my windpipe," replied Private Simms.

From Project Gutenberg