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

The building is landmarked, and there was no documentation of the terrace — just the exterior photos showing the parapets and columns on the prow of the 18th and 19th floors. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 5 Jan. 2026

The rehabilitation includes a new bridge deck, upgraded drainage system, new parapets, new highway lights and strengthened bridge girders to increase load capacity. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026

Just as the person leaned down as if to jump from the parapet, a man's arms reached for her and brought her to safety. —Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025

There was certainly a whole thing about not putting your head above the parapet. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 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