rope / rōp/ • n. 1. a length of strong cord made by twisting together strands of natural fibers such as hemp or artificial fibers such as polypropylene. ∎  a lasso. ∎  (the rope) used in reference to execution by hanging: executions by the rope continued well into the twentieth century. ∎  (the ropes) the ropes enclosing a boxing or wrestling ring.2. a quantity of roughly spherical objects such as onions or pearls strung together: a rope of pearls.3. (the ropes) inf. the established procedures in an organization or area of activity: I want you to show her the ropes new boys were expected to learn the ropes from the old hands.• v. [tr.] catch, fasten, or secure with rope: the calves must be roped and led out of the stockade the climbers were all roped together. ∎  (rope someone in/into) persuade someone to take part in (an activity): anyone who could play an instrument or sing in tune was roped in. ∎  (rope something off) enclose or separate an area with a rope or tape: police roped off the area of the find. ∎  [intr.] Climbing (of a party of climbers) connect each other together with a rope: we stopped at the foot of the Cavales Ridge and roped up. ∎  [intr.] (rope down/up) Climbing climb down or up using a rope: the party had been roping down a hanging glacier.PHRASES: the end of one's rope see end.on the rope Climbing roped together: the technique of moving together on the rope.on the ropes Boxing forced against the ropes by the opponent's attack. ∎  in state of near collapse or defeat: behind the apparent success the company was on the ropes.DERIVATIVES: rop·er n.