parapet

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

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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

In addition to the city's project, ODOT will be replacing the deck, parapet walls, sidewalks and fencing on the bridge on Brecksville Road over I-480.

— laura bednar, cleveland.com, "Independence road construction set to begin later this year," 9 Apr. 2018
Allison Friedman was buying a gift at Lululemon Athletica when part of a parapet wall from a neighboring property came crashing through the ceiling.

— sam wood, Philly.com, "$6 million settlement for teacher injured by bricks at Lululemon," 20 Mar. 2018
Let the rich mould around Wagners parapets be upturned, and there will be found an Eloquent answer.

— lily rothman, Time, "Read the Letter a Black Civil War Soldier Wrote Asking Abraham Lincoln for Equal Pay," 12 Feb. 2018
European parapets and cathedrals from the country's time under the colonial influence of France are scattered in between the dynamic cityscape.

— lauren hubbard, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 18 Places to Travel in 2018," 21 Dec. 2017
In another Frame, a low wall like a parapet seems to restrain the sea beyond it.

— josephine livingstone, New Republic, "The Steady Gaze of Abbas Kiarostami," 25 Jan. 2018
Peeking over their trenches for what must have been the first time in weeks, British soldiers were surprised to see Christmas trees lit with candles on the parapets of the enemy's trenches.

— author: gillian brockell, Anchorage Daily News, "The Christmas Truce miracle: Soldiers put down their guns to sing carols and drink wine," 25 Dec. 2017
British soldiers were surprised to see Christmas trees lit with candles on the parapets of the enemy’s trenches.

— gillian brockell, Washington Post, "The Christmas Truce miracle: Soldiers put down their guns to sing carols and drink wine," 24 Dec. 2017
Kosciuszko identified Bemis Heights, a bluff overlooking a bend in the Hudson and near a thick wood, as the spot for Gates’ troops to build defensive barriers, parapets and trenches.

— erick trickey, Smithsonian, "The Polish Patriot Who Helped Americans Beat the British," 8 Mar. 2017

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up parapet? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

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

Learn More about parapet

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix'?

'Altho' vs. 'Although'

A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

Name That Thing

Bee Cubed

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

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

Phrases Related to PARAPET

Related Phrases

PARAPET Defined for English Language Learners

parapet

Definition of parapet for English Language Learners

PARAPET Defined for Kids

parapet

Definition of parapet for Students

Learn More about parapet

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

The Adverb: A Most Fascinating POS

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes