parasol

noun

par·​a·​sol ˈper-ə-ˌsȯl How to pronounce parasol (audio)
-ˌsäl,
ˈpa-rə-
: a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade

Examples of parasol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Ingenuity, resembling a box with four legs and parasol of rotor blades and solar panel, will live out its final days idle but emitting periodic blips of data before losing contact with the rover as Perseverance moves farther away. Joey Roulette and Steve Gorman, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Jan. 2024 The heat has even started affecting summer fashions: women have long used parasols to shade themselves from the sun, but they are now being joined by increasing numbers of men. Matt Alt, The New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2023 To honor their rich culture, Hustlers Brass Band from NOLA performed as the couple and their guests danced with parasols and handkerchiefs. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 11 Dec. 2023 Other additions include multi-level rooms and the spa, built on the rock itself (where the restaurant used to be), and a beach bar dotted with lipstick-red parasols. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023 Come July and August, there’s no better spot to hide from the hoards of visitors than beneath a parasol. Kasia Dietz, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2023 One good Samaritan with a rainbow parasol hat carried a shovel to the porta-potties and started to clean out the mud. Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2023 There was also a parasol made to match Princess Diana's dress just in case the London weather didn't cooperate. Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 7 Aug. 2023 Ask the concierge to set you up with a parasol on the beach or sit beneath a black-and-white striped parasol at the pool. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 19 May 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parasol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "screen or canopy shielding from the sun," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Italian parasole, from para "(it) shields, keeps out" (3rd singular present of parare "to prepare, adorn, avert, shield") + sole "sun," going back to Latin sōl — more at parry, solar

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parasol was in 1660

Dictionary Entries Near parasol

Cite this Entry

“Parasol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parasol. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parasol

noun
para·​sol
ˈpar-ə-ˌsȯl
: a light umbrella for protection against the sun

More from Merriam-Webster on parasol

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