parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on

2

: strong, tough, and often somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment

3

: a parchment manuscript

also : an academic diploma

Examples of parchment in a Sentence

Ancient people wrote on parchment.

a parchment dating back to ancient times

Line the pan with a sheet of parchment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Line a rimmed half-sheet pan with foil or parchment, then set an oven-safe wire rack on top. — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Using parchment overhang, lift cake out of pan and transfer to a cutting board. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Sep. 2026

Place sliced fruit on a single layer on a tray lined with parchment paper or tinfoil. — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2026

Lay a piece of parchment atop the chicken, then seal the pan tightly with aluminum foil. — ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parchemin, from Anglo-French, modification of Latin pergamena, from Greek pergamēnē, from feminine of Pergamēnos of Pergamum, from Pergamon Pergamum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared as a writing material

2

: a paper like parchment

3

: something written on parchment