parasol

noun

par·​a·​sol ˈper-ə-ˌsȯl 

-ˌsäl,

ˈpa-rə-

: a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade

Examples of parasol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the sun finally starts to peek back out, this doubles as a parasol to keep the sun off your shoulders with a UPF 50+ sun protection rating and a clever silver coating to deflect harmful rays. —Alice Bennett, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

The triptych shows members of crews adorned in all manner of glittery and fabulous fashion, right down to pearls and a parasol. —John Oseid, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Instead of styling the $4700 Gucci bamboo 1947 bag with a sundress and parasol à la Victoria, Posey stepped out in a button-up gold dress and a dramatic cream and beige fur coat, adding a pop of color with a pair of blue satin Roger Vivier pumps with a rhinestone buckle and jeweled heel. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2025

Initial efforts to repair one of the solar arrays failed, so the astronauts entered the station on the following day and deployed a parasol to reduce internal temperatures to more tolerable levels. —Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2025

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

Kids Definition

parasol

noun

para·​sol

ˈpar-ə-ˌsȯl

: a light umbrella for protection against the sun