rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel How to pronounce rappel (audio)
ra-
rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

intransitive verb

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder or through a special friction device
rappel noun

Examples of rappel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Their efforts have included agents rappelling from Black Hawk helicopters to raid an apartment building in the middle of the night and masked agents chasing people in the heart of Chicago's Mexican community. Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025 After midnight on September 30th, helicopters hovered above a large Chicago apartment building, and heavily armored agents rappelled from the choppers onto the roof. Veralyn Williams, NPR, 25 Oct. 2025 Federal immigration officials have followed people in their cars, rappelled from helicopters in an apartment building raid, and clashed with protesters at a facility in the suburbs. Laura Daniella Sepulveda, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025 Members of the Harrison Fire Department rappelled about 260 feet down the bluff as park rangers approached from the river below. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rappel

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, recall, from Old French rapel, from rapeler to recall, from re- + apeler to appeal, call — more at appeal

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rappel was in 1944

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rappel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rappel. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rappel

verb
rap·​pel rə-ˈpel How to pronounce rappel (audio)
ra-
rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling
: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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