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

Lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil creates a barrier between the vegetables and the pan. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026

Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with parchment paper. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Jan. 2026

To achieve this, place the breasts, one at a time, in a resealable plastic bag or between two sheets of parchment, and gently pound them with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or potato masher until evenly flattened. —John Becker, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Jan. 2026

Line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper or aluminum foil. —Dallas Morning News, 18 Jan. 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