parasol

noun

par·a·sol ˈper-ə-ˌsȯl

-ˌsäl,

ˈpa-rə-

: a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web This affordable shader comes in two eclectic colors and has a scalloped border, giving it a parasol-like effect. —

Nishka Dhawan, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2021 Sulfur dioxide aerosols act like a parasol to reflect some of the sun's energy back into space, and thereby cause cooling. —

Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2013 The Webb telescope will be oriented so that the Sun, Earth and Moon are always on one side of it, allowing the sunshield to act as a parasol, NASA says. —

Discover Magazine, 11 Feb. 2011 Decked out in a red petticoat and sporting a red parasol, Clifford prances onto a cotton field to confront Corbin Kyle (Dan J. Johnson), one of the orchestrators of the deal. —

Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2022 The waiters know him, and offer a small sidewalk table under a parasol. —

Nathan Heller, Vogue, 23 Aug. 2022 Imagine yourself in the Victorian era, strolling through a regal garden under a dainty parasol. —

Leah Abucayan, CNN, 23 July 2022 Niall Turnbull, his 8-year old daughter and 5-year old son were equipped with a parasol, hats, ice cubes and ginger beer. —

Rick Noack, Washington Post, 23 July 2022 Camilla also carried a parasol to stay shaded from the sun. —

Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 19 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'parasol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "screen or canopy shielding from the sun," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Italian parasole, from para "(it) shields, keeps out" (3rd singular present of parare "to prepare, adorn, avert, shield") + sole "sun," going back to Latin sōl — more at parry, solar

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of parasol was in 1660

See more words from the same year