parachute

noun para·chute \ ˈper-ə-ˌshüt , ˈpa-rə- \

|Updated on: 19 Jun 2018

Definition of parachute

1 : a device for slowing the descent of a person or object through the air that consists of a fabric canopy beneath which the person or object is suspended

2 : patagium

3 : a device or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use, or operation

—

parachutic

play \ˌper-ə-ˈshü-tik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective

See parachute defined for English-language learners

See parachute defined for kids

Examples of parachute in a Sentence

The pilot was wearing a parachute.
The supplies were dropped by parachute.

Recent Examples of parachute from the Web

The back acted almost like a parachute, slowing me down.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Trevor Thompson survived Erin Hills air blimp crash. This is the rest of the story," 13 June 2018
Her wedding dress, made from parachute silk, is part of the collection of the Imperial War Museum in London.

— NBC News, "Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel, consoler of Anne Frank, dies," 10 June 2018
There were about 20 booths offering services and information, along with an area where children played with hula hoops, jump ropes and a large, colorful parachute.

— cassie dickman, sacbee, "‘Can I live?’ Hundreds march for black women in Sacramento," 9 June 2018
Nylon, the synthetic material invented by DuPont for women's stockings, was used to make parachutes, glider tow ropes, aircraft fuel tanks and flak jackets, according to Smithsonian magazine.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "D-Day: How New Orleans technology helped win the battle and World War II," 6 June 2018
The evening began with a range of games for students to play including Bingo, human Hungry Hungry Hippos, parachutes, bag toss and giant Twister, Jenga and Connect Four.

— gianna annunzio, chicagotribune.com, "Farewell Fest: Union Ridge community celebrates the school year's end," 4 June 2018
Cooper demanded four parachutes and $200,000, according to the FBI.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "D.B. Cooper mystery solved? Book publisher promises ID of skyjacker," 16 May 2018
That includes the parachute and also the services of the instructor whom you are strapped to.

— steve rubenstein, San Francisco Chronicle, "Less-traveled Lodi wine region perfect for two-wheeled wander," 28 Mar. 2018
Doyle had been tied to a living room chair with parachute cord.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "He was found dead, bound with parachute chord. Juries couldn't decide if these men did it.," 28 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parachute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of parachute

borrowed from French, from para- (as in parasol parasol) + chute "fall" — more at chute

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1784

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

parachute

verb

Definition of parachute

parachuted; parachuting

transitive verb

: to convey by means of a parachute

intransitive verb

: to descend by means of a parachute

See parachute defined for English-language learners

Examples of parachute in a Sentence

The soldiers parachuted in and quickly hid their gear.
New troops parachuted into enemy territory.
We will parachute supplies in after you arrive.
New troops were parachuted into enemy territory.

Recent Examples of parachute from the Web

Edwin Sibley flew infantry fighters who parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day and died six months later when his C-47 Skytrain plane crashed while crossing the English Channel.

— lisa maria garza, OrlandoSentinel.com, "South Lake County veterans 'who gave all' honored with Memorial Day banners," 24 May 2018
The lone Republican in the race is Cole Harris,who parachuted in just before the March filing deadline.

— joe garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘Lite Guv’ no more: California candidates spending millions for a job that gets no respect," 16 May 2018
Republicans desperate to hold onto a congressional seat in the heart of Trump country received more bad news Monday, just days after the president parachuted into western Pennsylvania to give their struggling candidate a boost.

— evan halper, latimes.com, "Trump ousts Tillerson as secretary of State, replaces him with CIA chief," 13 Mar. 2018
Travel advice columns are often penned by writers who parachute into a destination for a few days.

— christopher elliott, USA TODAY, "This contrarian travel advice could save your family vacation," 23 Feb. 2018
Ambassador Harris, himself a Japanese American, will be parachuting into high drama.

— james stavridis, Time, "I Served with the Military Leaders Shaping America’s North Korea Plan. Here’s What They’ll Do Next," 24 May 2018
Writers parachute into an area—identified as a rural or small town, real, authentic, yet mostly forgotten—and ask them about national politics and local struggles.

— patrick sisson, Curbed, "Our Towns: How small cities aren’t just surviving, but thriving," 9 May 2018
The deaths occurred on the same day that a Russian warplane was shot down over Idlib, about 50 miles south of Afrin, and the pilot, who had apparently parachuted out, was killed on the ground.

— rod nordland, New York Times, "Turkey’s Worst Day Yet in Syria Offensive: At Least 7 Soldiers Killed," 4 Feb. 2018
After the plane took off again, ordered to head to Mexico City, the hijacker parachuted out of the aircraft with the ransom money and disappeared.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "D.B. Cooper mystery solved? Book publisher promises ID of skyjacker," 16 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of parachute

derivative of ¹parachute

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1809

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

PARACHUTE Defined for English Language Learners

parachute

noun

Definition of parachute for English Language Learners

: a piece of equipment usually made of cloth that is fastened to people or things and that allows them to fall slowly and land safely after they have jumped or been dropped from an aircraft