parapet

noun

par·​a·​pet ˈper-ə-pət 

-ˌpet,

ˈpa-rə-

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

ˈper-ə-ˌpe-təd 

ˈpa-rə-

adjective

Illustration of parapet

• P parapet 1

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fire department reported that parts of the facade and some of the parapet separated from the garage, sending bricks crashing to the sidewalk and street below. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 12 Aug. 2025

But after Skydance’s deal to takeover Paramount became official this morning, George Cheeks, who is Chair of TV Media at the company, put his head above the parapet. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025

The work will allow for the reconstruction of the northern parapet of bridge No. 00770. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025

Photo : Niamh Whitty A 19th-century castellated tower with a battlemented parapet anchors one end of the home. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 27 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parapet

• put/stick/raise one's head above the parapet

Rhymes for parapet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

parapet

noun

par·​a·​pet ˈpar-ə-pət 

-ˌpet

1

: a wall of earth or stone to protect soldiers

2

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