parapet

noun par·a·pet \ ˈper-ə-pət , -ˌpet , ˈpa-rə- \

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Examples: parapet in a Sentence

Definition of parapet

1 : a wall, rampart, or elevation of earth or stone to protect soldiers

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

2 : a low wall or railing to protect the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge — called also parapet wall

The visitor peered over the parapet with binoculars.

—

parapeted

play \ˈper-ə-ˌpe-təd, ˈpa-rə-\ adjective

See parapet defined for English-language learners

See parapet defined for kids

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

Recent Examples of parapet from the Web

Behind them, floating above trucks and fruit stalls and huge vats of frying falafel, the golden cupola of the Dome of the Rock peeks over the fortress-like parapet of the Damascus Gate.

— noga tarnopolsky, latimes.com, "Step by step, bridging the divide between Arab and Jew in Jerusalem," 14 June 2018
The upper floors lead to the parapet-walkway and are accessible by stairs.

— lauren ro, Curbed, "Here’s your chance to live in a gothic tower," 12 June 2018
At this time two German heads appeared above the parapet, and Private Jay was shot and instantly killed.

— jesse leavenworth, courant.com, "If These Walls Could Talk: 7 Stories Of Connecticut Soldiers Who Left Their Names In French Caves," 25 May 2018
The contrast of colors created by the bamboo grove rising into the sky and the red bridge parapets evokes the beauty of Japanese scenery like that of Kyoto.

— scott gilman, Town & Country, "How to Plan a Trip to Japan," 5 Oct. 2016
With a combination of grit, agility, and muscle, the man hauled himself hand over hand from one balcony to another, springing from one parapet to grasp the next one up.

— BostonGlobe.com, "France’s Macron rewards migrant hero ‘Spiderman’ who saved dangling child," 28 May 2018
Decorative cornices and parapets on the exteriors shake loose.

— john wilkens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Back story: Shoring up old masonry buildings for earthquakes," 13 May 2018
Wheeler's proposal would require owners of most unreinforced brick buildings to bolt the building's roof to its walls and reinforce the parapet, the short wall that extends around the roof of most brick buildings.

— elliot njus, OregonLive.com, "Easing earthquake mandate for old brick buildings might just delay inevitable, experts say," 9 May 2018
The battlefield still bears the ditches and parapets, dug and piled by British and American armies before what became the decisive battle of the Revolutionary War.

— laura johnston, cleveland.com, "Exploring the Battle of Yorktown, decisive battle of Revolutionary War," 18 Apr. 2018

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

Illustration of parapet

Origin and Etymology of parapet

borrowed from Middle French & Italian; Middle French parapete, parapet, borrowed from Italian parapetto, from para "(it) shields, protects" (3rd singular present of parare "to prepare, adorn, avert, shield") + petto "breast, chest," going back to Latin pector-, pectus — more at parry, ²pectoral

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1590

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Architecture Terms

buttress, casita, cornice, fanlight, garret, lintel, pilaster, plinth

PARAPET Defined for English Language Learners

parapet

noun

Definition of parapet for English Language Learners

: a low wall at the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge

PARAPET Defined for Kids

parapet

noun par·a·pet \ ˈper-ə-pət , -ˌpet \

Definition of parapet for Students

1 : a low wall or fence at the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge

2 : a wall of earth or stone to protect soldiers

Learn More about parapet

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

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parapet

Definition of parapet

parapeted

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of parapet from the Web

Illustration of parapet

Origin and Etymology of parapet

Other Architecture Terms

PARAPET Defined for English Language Learners

parapet

Definition of parapet for English Language Learners

PARAPET Defined for Kids

parapet

Definition of parapet for Students

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parapet

Definition of parapet

parapeted

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of parapet from the Web

Illustration of parapet

Origin and Etymology of parapet

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parapet

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