parapet

noun

par·a·pet | \ ˈper-ə-pət

, -ˌpet, ˈpa-rə-\

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.

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Examples of parapet in a Sentence

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The savageness, changefulness and naturalistic detailing that constituted true Gothic architecture crafted the parapets of the Palazzo Priuli and the loggia of the Ca’ d’Oro. — Tristram Hunt, WSJ, "Elegy for the Floating City," 25 Jan. 2019 In the Southwest, homes often have completely flat roofs with castle-like parapets lining the perimeter. — Maggie Burch, House Beautiful, "What Is Spanish Colonial Design? Everything To Know About California's Popular Style," 13 Nov. 2018 Photo: Roger Viollet/Getty Images The practice spread, and in the late 19th century, Paris authorities began letting sellers leave book crates on the riverside parapet overnight for a small fee. — Sam Schechner, WSJ, "The Storied Bookstalls of Paris Fight for Survival," 14 Sep. 2018 An early draft of the poem notes how the parapets of the trenches at Cuinchy were built up with corpses. — David Yezzi, WSJ, "‘Robert Graves’ Review: A Poet of Love and War," 23 Nov. 2018 As proposed, the northeast corner of the development would include an 80-foot-tall parapet. — Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, "Developer says 5-story building would 'rejuvenate, enrich' Lake and Lathrop area; River Forest officials, residents have questions," 29 June 2018 Image Corporate America has largely avoided sticking its head over the parapet in the trade war. — Peter Eavis, New York Times, "Harley-Davidson Shows Why Corporations Cannot Keep Silent in Trade Wars," 25 June 2018 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. — New York Times, "Paris ‘Spider-Man’ Saves Young Boy. Cue Debate on Migrants.," 28 May 2018 For 23 years, London Grill co-owner and Bastille Day co-creator Terry Berch McNally has appeared in frock and wig, swigging pink champagne on the prison parapet in the event’s historically irreverent portrayal of Marie Antoinette. — Lauren Mccutcheon, Philly.com, "Eastern State Penitentiary's Marie Antoinette will toss Tastykakes Saturday for final Bastille Day," 11 July 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.

History and Etymology for 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, pectoral entry 2