A lashing is the use of a rope, that has been affixed by means of a hitch, for the purpose of holding two poles, staves or other rigid objects together. A lashing is a specialised type of knot, the purpose of which is to tie two objects together. In this way structures such as bridges or towers may be built with the use of ropes and spars.

Types of lashings include square, diagonal, sheer , round and gym lashings.

The object may be the loose ends of a rope or bundle of poles or a parcel.