lariat

noun

lar·​i·​at ˈler-ē-ət How to pronounce lariat (audio)
: a long light rope (as of hemp or leather) used with a running noose to catch livestock or with or without the noose to tether grazing animals : lasso

Examples of lariat in a Sentence

the cowboy could throw a lariat around a running steer's head from 20 yards away
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The celebration just kept amping up, with a cowboy pulling off impressive moves with his lariat and a dancer doing a back round-off as the song came to a close, and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena crowd couldn’t help but raise their glasses to one of the genre’s rising superstars. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019 That distinct Central California DNA persists in the resort’s decor today, with horseshoes and lariats on the walls and local flora in the bungalow-style rooms. Brett Evans, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2024 For the Amali Lariat Necklace, $188, traditional casting techniques were used to craft a sleek, curved quill silhouette and a fresh take on the lariat (a classic of the American West typically used as lassos). Esther Newman, refinery29.com, 9 Aug. 2024 The collection has eight pieces total, including necklaces, hoops, studs, rings, bracelets and lariats, set in sterling silver and recycled 18-karat gold. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024 The Myriad choker is all white diamonds, with double rows of metal spikes emanating outwards in a V shape, tied with a rope-like twist of gold that is set with diamonds, culminating in the front with a lariat set with Louis Vuitton logos in diamonds. Carol Besler, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The tight-plunging looks are as fitting for him as for her, accented by a lariat gold chain. Colleen Barry, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 The deputy’s partner then grabs a lariat and gets another loop around the deer’s midsection. Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 11 Oct. 2023 With such a glamorous design, Chopra finished the look with simple Bulgari jewelry, including a diamond lariat necklace and hoop earrings. Ariana Quihuiz, Peoplemag, 22 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish la reata the lasso, from Spanish la the + American Spanish reata lasso, from Spanish reatar to tie again, from re- + atar to tie, from Latin aptare to fit — more at adapt

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lariat was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near lariat

Cite this Entry

“Lariat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lariat. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

lariat

noun
lar·​i·​at ˈlar-ē-ət How to pronounce lariat (audio)
: a rope with a noose used to catch livestock or to tie up grazing animals : lasso

More from Merriam-Webster on lariat

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