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

The visitor peered over the parapet with binoculars.

called also parapet wall

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

Jordanian referee Adham Makhadmeh stayed out of trouble, kept his head below the parapet and stayed off the radar. — Graham Scott, New York Times, 9 July 2026

The work on the bridge includes replacement of the bridge deck, joints, membrane and overlay, parapets and roadway lighting as well as roadway improvements and related appurtenances. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

The red brick building, with its geometric parapet wall and barrel plank ceiling, was built in the 1930s. — Jenna Thompson june 10, Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

That only occurs in a police state when a critical mass of disenchantment begins to see itself as the majority, and confident enough to raise its head above the parapet. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 11 May 2026

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
• bassinet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet

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