rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

ra-

rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

intransitive verb

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder or through a special friction device

rappel noun

Examples of rappel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cruise, of course, also made a special appearance at the closing ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics, rappelling from the roof of the stadium to present an Olympic flag to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as part of the Olympics handoff ceremony. — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026

Members of the Baker County team set up a system of ropes and rappelled themselves down a steep embankment off the road to access the river, police said. — Kevin Fixler july 8, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026

To complete this daunting task, Cruise's character Tom Hunt sported special suction gloves in order to reach the 130th floor of the 2,722-foot skyscraper before rappelling down and concluding with a giant leap of faith. — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Search and rescue was called in to help rappel the women from the narrow ledges. — Alan Gionet, CBS News, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, recall, from Old French rapel, from rapeler to recall, from re- + apeler to appeal, call — more at appeal

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rappel

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

ra-

rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope