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

There is also rappelling, fitness sessions, climbing classes and kids camps. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2025

But what truly sets this waterfall apart is that visitors can rappel down its entire height. —Emese MacZko, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

On Sunday, June 8, the 40-year-old man was rappelling in the Three Falls area near Alpine when he was impaled by a stick, according to a Facebook post from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. —Paloma Chavez, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025

Minutes later, a firefighter with Rescue Company 2, the same crew that responded to the 2024 crash on the Second Street Bridge, rappelled down and pulled the man to safety from the cabin. —Killian Baarlaer, USA Today, 14 May 2025

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