parachute

1 of 2

noun

para·​chute ˈper-ə-ˌshüt How to pronounce parachute (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
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
3
: a device or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use, or operation
parachutic adjective

parachute

2 of 2

verb

parachuted; parachuting

transitive verb

: to convey by means of a parachute

intransitive verb

: to descend by means of a parachute

Examples of parachute in a Sentence

Noun The pilot was wearing a parachute. The supplies were dropped by parachute. Verb 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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Jetson One is designed with fly-by-wire technology and joystick controls for intuitive flight, multiple engines for redundancy, and a ballistic parachute as a safety feature. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 10 Sep. 2025 And, of course, Bond leapt from the plane without a parachute. Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
According to a draft planning document reviewed by the Union-Tribune, the event would include flyovers by many types of aircraft, including F-35C and F-18F fighter jets, and would feature the Navy Leap Frogs parachute team, which would land on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln at North Island. Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025 So the Forest Service called in a team of smoke jumpers, whose work usually involves parachuting into remote locations to fight wildfires. Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for parachute

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Verb

derivative of parachute entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1784, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1809, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of parachute was in 1784

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parachute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parachute. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

parachute

1 of 2 noun
para·​chute ˈpar-ə-ˌshüt How to pronounce parachute (audio)
1
: a folding umbrella-shaped device of light fabric used especially for making a safe jump from an aircraft
2
: something (as the bunch of hairs on a dandelion seed) that is like a parachute in form, use, or operation

parachute

2 of 2 verb
parachuted; parachuting
: to transport or come down by means of a parachute
parachutist
-ˌshüt-əst
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on parachute

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