tassel

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noun tas·sel \ˈta-səl, usually of corn ˈtä-, ˈtȯ-\

Definition of tassel

1 : a dangling ornament made by laying parallel a bunch of cords or threads of even length and fastening them at one end
2 : something resembling a tassel; especially : the terminal male inflorescence of some plants and especially corn

See tassel defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of tassel from the Web

Ribbons were tied around the midriff, and tassels hung off waist-binding belts.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "Rusted Root coming to Cleveland," 6 July 2017
Earrings: Druzy orange tassel earrings, $98, Diadem Jewelry.

— star-telegram, "Dress for the Fest: Festival fads include bold accessories, bright colors, floral patterns," 5 July 2017
Ribbons were tied around the midriff, and tassels hung off waist-binding belts.

— Bloomberg.com, "Chanel Aims High With Starry 'Eiffel Tower' Paris Show," 4 July 2017
Her dress this year is a vintage style creation replete with 135 tassels, over 6,500 twisted strips of toilet paper, and 6,000 pearl beads.

— michelle kaufman, miamiherald, "South Floridian hopes to wipe the floor with her competition in toilet paper wedding dress contest," 30 June 2017
It is decorated in a style pegged to the Dakota’s 1884 German Renaissance-style architecture, with heavy wooden furniture, brocade drapes with tassels and Victorian allegorical paintings of the type whose eyes move in vintage horror films.

— ben widdicombe, New York Times, "Young Socialites Conjure the Ghost of Leonard Bernstein at the Dakota," 24 June 2017
The lineup of coverups, swimsuits and accessories is true to Conrad’s feminine aesthetic, and includes lots of pinks, florals and ruffles combined with tropical palm prints and boho tassels.

— kami phillips, PEOPLE.com, "Lauren Conrad's Swim Collection Is On Sale: Here's What You Should Buy," 20 June 2017
From tassels to pave to shell, turquoise and quartz; $65-$115.

— vanessa infanzon, charlotteobserver, "CLT Made: Silver::Bone," 6 June 2017
Their strings were covered in matching tissue-paper tassels.

— erin geiger smith, WSJ, "Even Balloons Are Artisanal Now," 5 June 2017

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

Illustration of tassel

Origin and Etymology of tassel

Middle English, clasp, tassel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *tassellus, alteration of Latin taxillus small die; akin to Latin talus anklebone, die

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

tassel

verb tas·sel

Definition of tassel

tasseled

tasselled

;

tasseling

tasselling

\-s(ə-)liŋ\

transitive verb
: to adorn with tassels
intransitive verb
: to put forth tassel inflorescences

First Known Use of tassel

14th century

TASSEL Defined for English Language Learners

tassel

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noun

Definition of tassel for English Language Learners

: a decoration made of a bunch of strings fastened at one end
: a flower or group of flowers at the top of a cornstalk

TASSEL Defined for Kids

tassel

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noun tas·sel \ˈta-səl\

Definition of tassel for Students

1 : a hanging ornament (as on clothing) made of a bunch of cords of the same length fastened at one end
2 : the male flower cluster on the top of some plants and especially corn