lanyard

noun

lan·​yard ˈlan-yərd 

1

: a piece of rope or line for fastening something in a ship

especially : one of the pieces passing through deadeyes to extend shrouds or stays

2

a

: a cord or strap to hold something (such as a knife or a whistle) and usually worn around the neck

b

: a cord worn as a symbol of a military citation

3

: a strong line used to activate a system (as in firing a cannon)

Examples of lanyard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Caitlin Looby Last August, Lauren Isbell dove around Mott Island Dock at Isle Royale National Park, plucking invasive zebra mussels from the lakebed – sometimes with her fingers, other times with a credit-card sized piece of plastic attached to a lanyard on her wrist. —Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 20 Jan. 2026

The device is small, about the size of a quarter, with a loop so it can be worn on a lanyard or clipped to clothing or a bag. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 17 Jan. 2026

Additional features include a keychain hole for attaching the tool to a backpack clip, keyring, or a neck lanyard. —Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026

Blue's last post—of her seductively licking a Schoolies lanyard—was shared a week ago, presumably shortly before her arrest and detainment. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lanyer thong, lanyard, from Anglo-French lanier

First Known Use

1626, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lanyard

• spaniard

Kids Definition

lanyard

noun

lan·​yard ˈlan-yərd 

1

: a rope or line for fastening something in ships

2

: a cord worn around the neck or shoulder to hold a knife or whistle

3

: a strong cord used in firing a cannon