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

called also parapet wall

The visitor peered over the parapet with binoculars.

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 roof drain installations did not comply with minimum requirements, and the roof again was enclosed by a parapet wall and was missing a secondary, emergency roof drain system, the report said. —Monica Brich, arkansasonline.com, 9 Aug. 2024

The Maryland Transportation Authority bears the responsibility of removing the remaining debris, which includes large portions of highway bridge trusses, steel girders, the bridge deck and concrete parapets. —Hannah Gaskill, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024

None of the 2019 demonstrators put his or her head above the parapet by making speeches. —Jane Perlez, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2020

According to the suit, shoddily laid bricks in the penthouse and parapet walls allow moisture to collect. —Ethan M Steinberg, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2024

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

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