rope

1 of 2

noun

ˈrōp 

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

: line drive

ropelike

ˈrōp-ˌlīk 

adjective

rope

2 of 2

verb

roped; roping

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to take the form of or twist in the manner of rope

roper noun

Phrases

on the ropes

: in a defensive and often helpless position

Synonyms

Noun

• cable
• cord
• lace
• lacing
• line
• string
• wire

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The star — who posed on the red carpet with Carolina Herrera creative director Wes Gordon — accessorized with simple red platform heels and a diamond rope necklace. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 3 Feb. 2025

The only way participants can be eliminated is if they’re thrown over the top rope and both of their feet hit the ground. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 1 Feb. 2025

Verb

In the Menil show, the edges of We Came from There to Get Here are tied to metal grommets bolted to the floor, with the center roped to the ceiling—a method that mirrors other recent presentations of this painting. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Cowboy Carter didn't rope us in like that holy trifecta of albums, and a win for the diva in this category this year would essentially be a lifetime achievement award for the most important artist of the 21st century. —Jason Lamphier, EW.com, 1 Feb. 2025

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

Phrases Containing rope

• battle rope
• jump rope
• money for old rope
• rope ladder
• rope off
• rope tow
• skip rope
• the end of one's rope
• wire rope

Kids Definition

rope

1 of 2 noun

ˈrōp 

1

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