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

“Let’s take the lasso off and just go for it, Mom.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 29, 2025

There were plenty of cowboy hats inside Twickenham, honouring Kildunne and her trademark lasso celebration.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2025

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

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

From Seattle Times • Apr. 2, 2024

I mean, he wasn’t dirty, didn’t have on spurs or cowhide chaps or a red bandanna around his neck, and didn’t carry a lasso.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns