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.

Other Words from parapet More Example Sentences Learn More about parapet

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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 structure includes a colonnade, parapet wall, and fanlight windows taking after the look and feel of the White House. — Kelly Corbett, House Beautiful, "The Craziest White House Amenities Added by First Families," 21 Jan. 2021 The building needs brickwork along the roof parapet wall, gutter work, the 18 new windows, tree removal and emergency board-up. — Bert Stratton, WSJ, "Some Acts of God Are Better Than Others," 2 Dec. 2020 Outside the home of J.K. Rowling, a towering barrier of leylandii screens the 17th-century manor house from the road; little more than its chimneys and central tower are visible through the green parapet. — Kieran Dodds; Text By Peter Ross, Smithsonian Magazine, "How Hedges Became the Unofficial Emblem of Great Britain," 22 Oct. 2020 The parapet at the rooftop will incorporate four stars, one at each corner, imitating the original building, Henderson said. — al, "Ensley’s tallest building coming down, new one to follow," 1 Oct. 2020 For centuries, travelers seeking a way with words have climbed to the top of a medieval castle, leaned backward over a hole in the parapet, and planted a kiss on a hunk of limestone known as the Blarney Stone. — Zoe Baillargeon, National Geographic, "Will people ever touch these iconic tourist attractions again?," 10 Sep. 2020 New Land is proposing a 69-foot, six-inch building with a two-foot parapet. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two apartment developments, totaling more than than 200 units, are proposed for S. 5th Street in Walker's Point," 31 Aug. 2020 Leading from the driveway to the front entrance is a showpiece — a long, curving brick walk and stairs with low brick piers and low parapet walls. — Judy Rose, Detroit Free Press, "Builder's posh $3.47M family home in Bloomfield Hills holds surprises underground," 29 Aug. 2020 The infusion of cash is targeted to offset what the company is facing due to the coronavirus pandemic: a plunge worse than Gaston's off the parapet of the Beast's castle. — Bill Carter, CNN, "Disney needs credit, and has earned it," 16 Apr. 2020

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

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