lasso

¹ American  

[las-oh, la-soo] / ˈlæs oʊ, læˈsu /

noun

plural

lassos, lassoes

1. a long rope or line of hide or other material with a running noose at one end, used for roping horses, cattle, etc.

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verb (used with object)

lassoed, lassoing

1. to catch with or as with a lasso.

Lasso ² American  

[lah-soh] / ˈlɑ soʊ /

noun

1. Orlando di Orlandus Lassus, 1532–94, Flemish composer.

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lasso British  

/ ˈlæsəʊ, læˈsuː /

noun

1. a long rope or thong with a running noose at one end, used (esp in America) for roping horses, cattle, etc; lariat

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verb

1. (tr) to catch with or as if with a lasso

Other Word Forms

• lassoer noun
• unlassoed adjective

Etymology

Origin of lasso

1760–70; < Spanish lazo < Latin laqueus noose, bond; see lace

Explanation

A lasso is the loop of rope that cowboys use to catch cattle. To be a successful cowboy or cowgirl, you have to learn to throw a lasso while riding a galloping horse. The circle of rope is called a lasso. and to lasso is to use it to catch a runaway animal. A child might lasso her stuffed animals while riding a rocking horse, and during a rodeo, cowboys who specialize in "trick roping" use their lassos to do fancy spinning tricks. Lasso was coined in the U.S. around 1807, from the Spanish lazo, and its Latin root laqueum, both meaning "noose" or "snare."

Example Sentences

This allows her to swing the hose up to spray water over her back with a movement like a lasso.

From NewsForKids.net • Nov. 21, 2024

He also created an eerie orb sitting within the ancient Callanish stones on the Isle of Lewis, by swinging a light on the end of a string like a lasso during the long exposure time.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2024

He had corralled me with his trademark toy lasso.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 22, 2024

In between each performance, audience members cheered at bull riding competitions, circus acts, folklórico dancers, and lasso throwers.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2024

Before I could change my mind, I swung the grappling hook like a lasso.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan