parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on

2

: strong, tough, and often somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment

3

: a parchment manuscript

also : an academic diploma

Examples of parchment in a Sentence

Ancient people wrote on parchment.

a parchment dating back to ancient times

Line the pan with a sheet of parchment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Once bars are cooled, lift them out of the pan using the parchment overhang. —Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 29 Nov. 2025

For easy removal, line the baking dish with a sheet of parchment paper and leave a few inches overhanging on two sides. —Lizzy Briskin, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Nov. 2025

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. —Laura McLively, Mercury News, 27 Nov. 2025

Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parchemin, from Anglo-French, modification of Latin pergamena, from Greek pergamēnē, from feminine of Pergamēnos of Pergamum, from Pergamon Pergamum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared as a writing material

2

: a paper like parchment

3

: something written on parchment