1
a
: a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire twisted or braided together
b
: a long slender strip of material used as rope
rawhide rope
c
: a hangman's noose
d
: lariat
2
: a row or string consisting of things united by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading
3
ropes plural
: special or basic techniques or procedures
show him the ropes
4
roped; roping
1
a
: to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope or cord
b
: to partition, separate, or divide by a rope
rope off the street
c
: lasso
2
: to draw as if with a rope : lure
: to take the form of or twist in the manner of rope
roper
noun
Examples of rope in a Sentence
Noun
Tie the end of the rope to the post.
She made a knot in the rope.
a six-foot length of rope
We used rope to tie down the furniture in the trailer.
The hostages were tied up with rope.
The veteran cop showed the rookie the ropes.
It will take a few weeks for new employees to learn the ropes.
someone who knows the ropes
Verb
The dog was roped to the fence.
The boats were roped together at the dock.
Mountain climbers often rope themselves together for safety.
He tried to rope the calf.
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Recent Examples on the Web
Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
That process began at 5 a.m., the organization said, with rescuers using ropes to lower the hiker one section at a time.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023
This long, flexible LED rope light is solar-powered and can run for eight to 12 hours once fully charged.
—Katie Begley, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Décor is a nod to the seaside location: surf photos abound and structural columns are wrapped in nautical rope.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023
Attach rope to hang your creation or simply lean it next to your front door.
—Shelby Deering, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023
The study mathematically describes how a viscous fluid folds onto itself like a coiling rope—just like pouring cold maple syrup on pancakes.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023
The sheriff’s office said Maximus was later discovered with a rope from a tetherball pole around his neck.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023
Fans use the gate as a pillar of sorts, with ropes hooked onto it for extra support.
—Diego Nicolás Argüello, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2023
Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2023
For one thing, given the risk of getting roped into a similar lawsuit, some brokerages may make proactive changes to their commission structure.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023
On Sunday’s episode, Jenna Lyons got unexpectedly roped into a conversation between host Andy Cohen and fellow Housewife Erin Dana Lichy about Erin' recent business ventures with Million Dollar Listing alum Fredrik Eklund.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
In addition to potentially bringing more sophisticated weaponry and fighters into the current conflict, Hezbollah’s intervention could rope in other parties, too.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 12 Oct. 2023
Advertisement Mookie Betts walked and scored in the third and fifth innings, doubled in the seventh and roped a two-run double to left-center in the eighth for a 7-0 lead.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Henderson tied the game with a leadoff home run and Santander roped a single to drive in what held up as the winning run.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2023
Somehow, his charm and humor were powerful enough to rope two rap stars (Future and Young Thug) into it who aren’t nearly as known as jokesters.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023
The kids can try cattle roping and ride a pony, a mechanical bull or the Li’l Grand train.
—Norma Cavazos, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023
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Noun
The kit also comes with dual-sided sliders, door anchor weights, ankle straps, and an adjustable skipping rope for even more versatility.
—Sarah Kester, Travel + Leisure, 16 Nov. 2023
That process began at 5 a.m., the organization said, with rescuers using ropes to lower the hiker one section at a time.
—Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Nov. 2023
This long, flexible LED rope light is solar-powered and can run for eight to 12 hours once fully charged.
—Katie Begley, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023
Décor is a nod to the seaside location: surf photos abound and structural columns are wrapped in nautical rope.
—Kathy A. McDonald, Variety, 31 Oct. 2023
Attach rope to hang your creation or simply lean it next to your front door.
—Shelby Deering, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2023
The study mathematically describes how a viscous fluid folds onto itself like a coiling rope—just like pouring cold maple syrup on pancakes.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Nov. 2023
The sheriff’s office said Maximus was later discovered with a rope from a tetherball pole around his neck.
—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 2 Nov. 2023
Fans use the gate as a pillar of sorts, with ropes hooked onto it for extra support.
—Diego Nicolás Argüello, Pitchfork, 2 Nov. 2023
Verb
After roping in a photographer friend to take pictures and an officiant who had a last-minute cancellation, the plan was set.
—Shelby Wax, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2023
For one thing, given the risk of getting roped into a similar lawsuit, some brokerages may make proactive changes to their commission structure.
—Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023
On Sunday’s episode, Jenna Lyons got unexpectedly roped into a conversation between host Andy Cohen and fellow Housewife Erin Dana Lichy about Erin' recent business ventures with Million Dollar Listing alum Fredrik Eklund.
—Esther Kang, Peoplemag, 23 Oct. 2023
In addition to potentially bringing more sophisticated weaponry and fighters into the current conflict, Hezbollah’s intervention could rope in other parties, too.
—Tamara Qiblawi, CNN, 12 Oct. 2023
Advertisement Mookie Betts walked and scored in the third and fifth innings, doubled in the seventh and roped a two-run double to left-center in the eighth for a 7-0 lead.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2023
Henderson tied the game with a leadoff home run and Santander roped a single to drive in what held up as the winning run.
—Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2023
Somehow, his charm and humor were powerful enough to rope two rap stars (Future and Young Thug) into it who aren’t nearly as known as jokesters.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2023
The kids can try cattle roping and ride a pony, a mechanical bull or the Li’l Grand train.
—Norma Cavazos, Dallas News, 31 Aug. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English rāp; akin to Old High German reif hoop
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of rope was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing rope
Articles Related to rope
Dictionary Entries Near rope
Cite this Entry
“Rope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rope. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
rope
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a large stout cord of strands (as of fiber or wire) twisted or braided together
b
: lariat
c
: a noose used for hanging
2
: a row or string (as of beads) made by or as if by braiding, twining, or threading
3
plural
: the special way things are done (as on a job)
learn the ropes
rope
2 of 2 verb
roped; roping
1
a
: to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope
b
: to set off or divide by a rope
rope off a street for a neighborhood carnival
c
: to catch with a lasso
2
: to draw as if with a rope
roped her friends into helping with the project
roper
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on rope
Nglish: Translation of rope for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of rope for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rope
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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