parachute

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

|Updated on: 13 Aug 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

Step 10: Shorten the parachute cord to make a small bend in the bow (5 inches between the bow center and the string).

— andrew del-colle and lara sorokanich, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make a Bow and Arrow By Hand," 5 June 2018
White-hot atmospheric friction and a huge supersonic parachute would slow things to a more manageable 90 mph.

— NBC News, "NASA has a plan to let humans soar above the clouds on Venus," 5 June 2018
Nets of protein and starch from the milk powder and wheat flour act like parachutes, riding waves of gas bubbles from yeast and evaporating water to buoy the feather-soft bun skyward.

— ali bouzari, SFChronicle.com, "Housemade: The magic of Liholiho Yacht Club," 22 June 2018
Just Cause 3's primary tools were a grappling hook, remote detonation mines, a parachute, and a wingsuit.

— samuel axon, Ars Technica, "How Just Cause 4’s tornado works, and a glimpse at all the chaos you cause," 14 June 2018
Brandy Cain, the foundation’s executive director, is married to a veteran of the 82nd Airborne who became disabled after a jumping accident when his parachute did not open properly.

— brian macquarrie, BostonGlobe.com, "At Maine retreat, disabled veterans find sense of belonging," 6 July 2018
Several did last week — with parachutes — as the Air Force stood up a recruiting arm that will search coast to coast for young people who can handle some of the service’s toughest jobs.

— sig christenson, San Antonio Express-News, "AF recruiting squadron to seek — and keep — toughest airmen," 30 June 2018
Malone was in the air for about 45 minutes when her parachute broke, according to a GoFundMe page setup to help pay for her medical expenses.

— ryan gaydos, Fox News, "California model involved in grisly parasailing accident in Mexico returns to US," 28 June 2018
Their parachutes also included more stock: more than $20.9 million for Hooley and $19.7 million for the four others.

— mark davis, kansascity, "Downtown KC employer DST lays off employees, reportedly hundreds, months after sale," 26 June 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

There’s also the Presidential Innovation Fellows, or PIFs, so that’s more like a single person parachutes in and tackles a hard problem.

— recode staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Matt Cutts of the U.S. Digital Service on Recode Decode," 12 July 2018
He was carried by balloon into the stratosphere, then parachuted nearly 136,000 feet -- breaking a world altitude record in 2014.

— CBS News, ""From impossible to inevitable": Developers give first look at new flying car," 12 July 2018
Filmmaker Jennifer Peedom traverses the globe to capture the exploits of mountaineers, ice climbers, free soloists, heli-skiers, snowboarders, wingsuiters and parachuting mountain bikers.

— kevin crust, latimes.com, "L.A. movie openings, May 25," 20 May 2018
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

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