A lanyard is a cord or strap worn around the neck or wrist to hold something important you need to keep handy. Most commonly, people use lanyards to carry ID badges, keys, or whistles.

You'll see lanyards everywhere once you start noticing them. Teachers wear lanyards with their classroom keys so they never lose them. Camp counselors wear lanyards with whistles attached. Office workers display their security badges on lanyards. At conferences and events, attendees wear lanyards to show their name tags.

Lanyards work well because they keep essential items accessible while leaving your hands free. Instead of digging through pockets or bags, you just look down.

Today, lanyards come in countless colors and designs. Schools often give students lanyards printed with the school name or mascot. Some people collect lanyards from different places they visit, like souvenirs. A simple lanyard usually costs just a dollar or two, but it solves a problem people have dealt with forever: how to keep small, crucial items from getting lost.