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 More than 50 thrill-seekers, seemingly with no fear of heights, eased themselves over the side of the U.S. Bancorp Tower in downtown Portland on Saturday and rappelled down most of the skyscraper’s 536 feet. oregonlive, 13 Aug. 2023 Bruce and Shelley Rodgers, Emmy-winning production designers who have worked on Super Bowl halftime shows, led the team—which included a special crew that flew in from the West Coast to rappel around the building’s exterior putting up lyrics. Christopher Parker, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 July 2023 This serves as a great backup for climbers and those who rappel. Craig Caudill, Field & Stream, 12 July 2023 The part of the beach where Dory was trapped is only accessible by rappelling from a hiking trail, according to the Coast Guard. oregonlive, 15 June 2023 While learning the ins and outs of skewering grouse organs and harvesting wild watercress while rappelling down a rushing waterfall, Kish was reminded to embrace the moment. Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Mar. 2023 During the engagement, the Waleses got to show off their sporty sides while taking part in training activities like rappelling down a quarry, medical support exercises, and a search dog rescue demonstration. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 28 Apr. 2023 First responders used ropes to rappel down to get to the victims, Jones said. Paul P. Murphy, CNN, 28 Jan. 2022 The men climbed through a cell grate, ascended through a vent on makeshift rungs, and rappelled five stories to the pavement outside the Santa Ana jail facility. Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 16 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rappel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near rappel

Cite this Entry

“Rappel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rappel. Accessed 24 Sep. 2023.

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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