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 baking sheet with parchment paper. —C.w. Cameron, AJC.com, 11 Jan. 2026

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026

Line a plate with parchment paper. —Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026

What lingers more prominently are its undercurrents of woody vetiver, parchment, and ash, building a longer-lasting profile that’s dry, spiced, and sophisticated. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 31 Dec. 2025

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