parachute

1 of 2

noun

para·​chute ˈper-ə-ˌshüt 

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

: patagium

3

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

parachutic

ˌper-ə-ˈshü-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

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

Noun

The rover, by then named for the late British chemist and DNA research pioneer Rosalind Franklin, was nearly ready for launch in 2020 when a series of parachute test failures and the COVID-19 pandemic prompted another delay until late 2022. —Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 17 Apr. 2026

The recovery team waited for go-time in a small, inflatable boat as the capsule drifted down with the help of several sets of parachutes. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

Pasha Palanker was one of three performers scheduled to parachute onto the field before the Hokies' first spring season game on Saturday and told ABC News everything was going as planned until winds picked up unexpectedly. —Kendall Coughlin, ABC News, 20 Apr. 2026

The soldiers can parachute into combat, or launch an overland assault. —Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Apr. 2026

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

Phrases Containing parachute

• golden parachute
• parachute pants

Rhymes for parachute

• absolute
• arrowroot
• attribute
• bitterroot
• constitute
• convolute
• destitute
• disrepute
• dissolute
• execute
• institute
• involute

Kids Definition

parachute

1 of 2 noun

para·​chute ˈpar-ə-ˌshüt 

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