parachute

play

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

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

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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

For starters, there are enough very nice tops with windmill sleeves and parachute shoulders out there to make anybody weep like Daisy Buchanan.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "Why Can't We Just Have Normal Shirts Anymore?," 10 Aug. 2017
At one point, a skydiver descended gently into the crowd, borne by a white parachute.

— Longreads, "The Hippies Who Hated the Summer of Love," 7 Aug. 2017
Doyle was found inside his Lake Wylie home, tied to a chair with parachute cord – beaten, burned, cut and dead.

— michael gordon, charlotteobserver, "Her last court date set off a fracas. Now, teen driver returns to face judge.," 19 July 2017
According to police reports, Vitantonio Capotorto, 27, never deployed his parachute after jumping from 13,500 feet above DeLand, Florida, on the morning of July 11.

— devan lesley, PEOPLE.com, "Skydiver’s Heartbreaking Suicide Message to Wife Came Just Days Before Their Second Anniversary," 18 July 2017
Better check if those neon pastel parachute pants are still tucked away in your closet.

— scott mcdonald, Pacific San Diego Magazine, "Top concerts this week (July 17-23)," 17 July 2017
Another catfish farmer found an empty, open parachute later near a fish pond, Nobile said.

— CBS News, "KC-130 crash: Jet developed problems high in the air, general says," 12 July 2017
Another catfish farmer found an empty, open parachute later near a fish pond, Nobile said.

— rogelio v. solis and emily wagster pettus, chicagotribune.com, "Officials comb fields for clues after military plane crash that killed Marines, Navy sailor," 12 July 2017
According to police, four parachute jumpers fell from the sky before the fireworks show.

— fox59, Indianapolis Star, "Skydiver lands hard at Indiana Fourth of July fest," 5 July 2017

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

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1784

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

The camera and other equipment parachuted into a tree in Dudley, just above Connecticut's northeastern corner.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Connecticut Team Launches Total Eclipse Practice Run," 10 Aug. 2017
The fossilized remains of two species include traces of fur as well as hints of skin membranes used to parachute from one perch to another.

— sid perkins, Science | AAAS, "Meet the mammals that soared through Jurassic skies," 9 Aug. 2017
Also on offer will be parachuting, trekking and rock climbing.

— aya batrawy, Detroit Free Press, "No visa, no veil? Saudi Arabia may ease rules for tourists," 6 Aug. 2017
One beaver, playfully named Geronimo, endured countless practice drops, seeming to enjoy the skydives, and led the way as all the beavers parachuted into their new home.

— idahostatesman, "Read why Fish and Game dropped 76 McCall beavers from the skies of Idaho," 22 July 2017
Warren G. Sody, a World War II infantryman who parachuted behind enemy lines on D-Day and later fought at the Battle of the Bulge at Bastonge, Belgium, died Tuesday from respiratory failure at Gilchrist Hospice in Towson.

— frederick n. rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Warren G. Sody, veteran of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, dies," 14 July 2017
Quit waiting to win the lottery, to fall in love, for a pill to bring you happiness or for miracles to parachute into your life.

— carolyn hax, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Carolyn Hax: Dad's trust helps teenage son build confidence," 7 July 2017
Eight Forest Service firefighters parachuted in, and two heavy tankers and a helicopter dropped slurry and water on the fire throughout the day.

— CBS News, "Breckenridge fire threatens Colorado resort town," 6 July 2017
Games include trying to parachute through the air to safety while frantically passing sticks of dynamite between players, or trying to balance on a platform of ice while avoiding bumps from other players.

— mark walton, Ars Technica, "Sony’s PlayLink links your phone to your PS4 for multiplayer minigame madness," 21 June 2017

First Known Use of parachute

1809

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

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

PARACHUTE Defined for English Language Learners

parachute

play

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

parachute

verb

Definition of parachute for English Language Learners

: to jump from an aircraft using a parachute
: to drop (someone or something) from an aircraft using a parachute

PARACHUTE Defined for Kids

parachute

play

noun para·chute \ ˈper-ə-ˌshüt \

Definition of parachute for Students

:a piece of equipment usually made of cloth and attached to someone or something for making a safe jump or drop from an airplane

parachute

verb

Definition of parachute for Students

parachuted; parachuting

:to transport or come down by parachute

Learn More about parachute

See words that rhyme with parachute Spanish Central: Translation of parachute Nglish: Translation of parachute for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of parachute for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parachute

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parachute

Definition of parachute

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First Known Use of parachute

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PARACHUTE Defined for English Language Learners

parachute

Definition of parachute for English Language Learners

parachute

Definition of parachute for English Language Learners

PARACHUTE Defined for Kids

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