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

But Wardwell, who had rappelled the waterfalls four times before, decided to go on his own. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Ultimately, Yarnell said officials believe the group's anchor point, which holds the line used to rappel down a mountain, failed. —Morgan Chesky, NBC news, 14 May 2025

Authorities in Okanogan County said the climbers were believed to be rappelling a steep gulley near North Early Winters Spire when their anchor failed, sending them falling on May 11. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 13 May 2025

The custom installation at the Palais began last summer and even involved installers rappelling from the ceiling to rig the ceiling loudspeakers, according to Friedrich Deininger, Dolby’s senior director of cinema and partner management for EMEA and India. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 13 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