A rope with a running noose, used for catching livestock or as a tool. The term is not extremely common in everyday conversation but is understood in contexts like ranching or rodeo.
The cowboy threw a lariat and caught the cow.
I am practicing how to use a lasso.
Compound of 輪 (わ, 'ring, loop') and 縄 (なわ, 'rope'). The reading わなわ is a straightforward combination of the kun'yomi of both kanji.