parkour

noun par·kour \ pär-ˈku̇r , ˈpär-ˌku̇r \

|Updated on: 28 May 2018

Definition of parkour

: the sport of traversing environmental obstacles by running, climbing, or leaping rapidly and efficiently

Recent Examples of parkour from the Web

Residents will be able to vote on their preferred uses in the coming months: Pitches so far include an amphitheater, a dog park and an adult exercise space with features for parkour — an activity a bit like running an obstacle course.

— marissa j. lang, Washington Post, "‘They’re kind of mesmerizing’: These nine goats draw spectators while clearing an overgrown Maryland park," 25 May 2018
Lately, West’s free thought seems more akin to parkour: stunt after stunt after stunt, executed with high risk and speed at great heights.

— michael andor brodeur, BostonGlobe.com, "What do Donald Trump and Kanye West see in each other? The answer is clear.," 26 Apr. 2018
The title grants him enough parkour powers to run up the speechless invaders and lop their heads off.

— steven strom, Ars Technica, "Extinction review: Shadow of the colossal disappointment," 10 Apr. 2018
Dying Light’s loot system and parkour were already itching for a competitive mode, and Bad Blood makes good on the concept.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Dying Light: Bad Blood is more 'battle' than 'battle royale,' but it’s still a ton of fun," 27 Mar. 2018
The first-person parkour that contributed to Dying Light’s success is fully intact in Bad Blood, meaning players are constantly vaulting across rooftops, scaling walls, sliding under traps, and so on.

— hayden dingman, PCWorld, "Dying Light: Bad Blood is more 'battle' than 'battle royale,' but it’s still a ton of fun," 27 Mar. 2018
This relentless action refuses to let Vikander catch her breath, always asking her to exude a hustle reminiscent of Daniel Craig’s exhausting-looking parkour in Casino Royale or Charlize Theron’s ass-whooping in Atomic Blonde.

— jacob oller, The Hollywood Reporter, "The Best 'Tomb Raider' Scene Isn't From the Games," 16 Mar. 2018
In 2017 alone, a man besides Berube got stuck while trying to enter a residence, another while trying to burglarize a business — and yet another, while doing parkour.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "‘Criminal Santa’ Gets Stuck in Chimney While Trying to Commit Burglary," 18 Dec. 2017
The series' signature parkour has evolved into an even more freeflowing and natural exercise than ever.

— daniel starkey, Ars Technica, "Assassin’s Creed Origins review: A living, breathing ancient world," 28 Oct. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of parkour

French, alteration of parcours course, route, from Medieval Latin percursus, from Latin percurrere to run through, from per- + currere to run

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 2002

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year