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noose

noun
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\ ˈnüs How to pronounce noose (audio) , British also ˈnüz \

Definition of noose

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a loop with a slipknot that binds closer the more it is drawn
2 : something that snares like a noose

noose

verb
noosed; noosing

Definition of noose (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to secure by a noose
2 : to make a noose in or of
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about noose

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Examples of noose in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But no camera footage was available to show who put the noose there, on a day when Ferrill was not working. — Gina Barton, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "A gun collector’s paranoia, a wrong suspect and the role of racism. What the Molson Coors mass shooting records reveal," 26 Nov. 2020 When president Donald Trump tweeted a broadside at Wallace over the noose, Johnson was one of the few drivers to defend his peer with a social-media post extending his support to NASCAR’s only Black driver at the elite level. — Jenna Fryer, orlandosentinel.com, "NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson leaves lasting charitable mark," 2 Nov. 2020 The Missouri House Democratic Campaign Committee also condemned the noose. — CBS News, "Noose displayed near Missouri voting booths covered up amid complaints," 31 Oct. 2020 The figure reminded him of a young Black man, with a hoodie on, sagging pants and a noose around his neck. — Ben Leonard, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Halloween decoration, hung by a noose in Westminster, raises questions on race, symbols, legality," 24 Oct. 2020 The noose represents a violent history against Black people, and many associate it with lynching. — oregonlive, "Noose found in park near SW Portland school; police investigating," 21 Oct. 2020 Mark Maples, Stone County’s presiding commissioner, said the noose is part of a collection of items from a historic event that happened right outside the courthouse. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "Voting across the US live updates: 92 million have already voted; more young women are manning polls; undelivered ballots found in Florida," 1 Nov. 2020 Drivers and crews walked with Wallace in solidarity at the celebrated Talladega racetrack in Alabama after what was originally thought to be a noose was found hanging in his stall. — Jonathan Abrams, New York Times, "Michael Jordan’s Big Play in NASCAR Could Help Diversify Its Fan Base," 25 Sep. 2020 When done correctly, the noose killed by severing the spinal column, causing near instantaneous death. — Austin Sarat, The Conversation, "Trump plan to revive the gallows, electric chair, gas chamber and firing squad recalls a troubled history," 3 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb In his retelling of the epic battle with the two racist monsters, the doused and noosed Smollett managed to beat them back, hold on to his cellphone and sandwich, and make his wounded way home, with the rope still around his neck. — Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, "Anti-Trump Psychodrama 10.0?," 8 Oct. 2019 Detectives found no sign of trauma or a struggle, no blood or bruising that could not be explained by a woman who noosed herself, gagged herself, bound her own hands and feet and jumped off a balcony. — Avi Selk, Washington Post, "A woman’s hanging at a mansion was a suicide, police decided. A civil jury says they’re wrong.," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'noose.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of noose

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for noose

Noun

Middle English nose, of uncertain origin

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Time Traveler for noose

Time Traveler

The first known use of noose was in the 15th century

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Statistics for noose

Last Updated

13 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Noose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/noose. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for noose

noose

noun
How to pronounce noose (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of noose

: a large loop at the end of a rope that gets smaller when you pull the rope and that is used to hang people, to capture animals, etc.

See the full definition for noose in the English Language Learners Dictionary

noose

noun
\ ˈnüs How to pronounce noose (audio) \

Kids Definition of noose

: a loop that passes through a knot at the end of a line so that it gets smaller when the other end of the line is pulled

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More from Merriam-Webster on noose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for noose

Nglish: Translation of noose for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of noose for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about noose

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