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 work entails concrete parapet wall repair on the Yellow Mill Pond Bridge. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 July 2026

The horizontal orientation of the home’s large terraces (which are enclosed by parapets) recalls two of Wright’s prior residential architecture explorations. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 14 July 2026

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 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

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