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 Phrases Containing parapet Learn More About parapet

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

Recent Examples on the Web The project includes work on the expansion joints, approach pavement and parapet transition. — Lexi Whitehead, The Enquirer, 6 June 2022 The new bridge will match the look of the one on 68th Street, with more modern piers, a railing and the street name set into the parapet. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2022 The new bridge will match the look of the one on 68th Street, with more modern piers, a railing and the street name set into the parapet. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2022 At first there wasn’t much to see — just a hunched, gray form perched on the parapet, Batman-style, or a crossbow silhouette spiraling high above. — Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2022 The new bridge will match the look of the one on 68th Street, with more modern piers, a railing and the street name set into the parapet. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2022 The new bridge will match the look of the one on 68th Street, with more modern piers, a railing and the street name set into the parapet. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2022 Video footage showed the lawyer falling over a low concrete parapet at the back of the platform at the Judiciary Square station at about 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 19, 2013, landing in a trench-like pit eight feet below. — Washington Post, 12 Feb. 2022 The new bridge will match the look of the one on 68th Street, with more modern piers, a railing and the street name set into the parapet. — Bob Dohr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2022 See More

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