lariat

noun

lar·​i·​at ˈler-ē-ət 

: 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

Synonyms of lariat

• 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

King got back in the match, hitting Allin with a cannonball and a lariat. — Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Flapper-worthy tassels and liquid lariats? — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 14 Feb. 2026

The 59 year old paired her forearm-length top with a pair of wide-legged blue jeans, a gold lariat necklace, and a pair of oversized round black-to-yellow gradient sunglasses. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 6 June 2026

Chokers, lariats, diamonds by the yard—some would argue that there’s a place for all of them in the safe, but discerning collectors tend to end up reaching for the trusty favorite, time after time. — Victoria Herman, Air Mail, 8 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for lariat

• bivariate
• vicariate
• chariot
• variate
• multivariate
• proletariat
• secretariat
• uniseriate
• univariate

Kids Definition

lariat

noun

lar·​i·​at ˈlar-ē-ət 

: a rope with a noose used to catch livestock or to tie up grazing animals : lasso