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

Adding two levels of parking to the existing Anderson Parking Facility at Cretin and Grand would violate the CUP, which limits maximum building heights to 40 feet to the tallest point, including parapets and rooftop mechanical structures. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026

The top of that wall now formed a kind of parapet whose surface was covered with thousands of jagged pieces of glass. —New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

The project requiring this bridge rehabilitation closure includes bridge deck repairs, parapet improvements, joint removal, substructure repairs and paving, according to the DOT. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026

But most CEOs are keeping their heads beneath the parapet. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Jan. 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
• 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