# halyard

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈhæljə(ɹ)d/ · frequency rank #96,036

## Definitions
1. A rope used to raise or lower a sail, flag, spar or yard.
2. A rope used to extend a ladder.

## Etymology
Inherited from Middle English halier, from halen (“to haul”) + -iere (“-er”), with misconstrual of -ier as yard. Compare lanyard.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/halyard