drogue

noun

ˈdrōg 

1

: sea anchor

2

a

: a cylindrical or funnel-shaped device towed as a target by an airplane

b

: a small parachute for stabilizing or decelerating something (such as an astronaut's capsule) or for pulling a larger parachute out of stowage

3

: a funnel-shaped device which is attached to the end of a long flexible hose suspended from a tanker airplane in flight and into which the probe of another airplane is fitted so as to receive fuel from the tanker

Examples of drogue in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Minutes later, the New Shepard capsule will begin its descent back to Earth, deploying a set of drogue parachutes and main parachutes that will enable a soft desert landing 10 to 11 minutes after liftoff. —Josh Dinner, Space.com, 12 Apr. 2025

The first two drogue chutes, also called drag chutes, are designed for high speeds and were deployed at approximately 18,000 feet while the craft traveled at nearly 350 miles per hour. —Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025

At an altitude of about 24,500 feet, two small drogue parachutes unfurled, slowing and stabilizing the Starliner. —William Harwood, CBS News, 7 Sep. 2024

On decent, a pair of drogue chutes are deployed to slow the craft, followed by three main chutes. —Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 5 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of drag entry 2

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for drogue

• bogue
• brogue
• vogue
• prorogue

Kids Definition

drogue

noun

ˈdrōg 

: a parachute for slowing down or stabilizing something (as an astronaut's capsule) or for pulling out a larger parachute