rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

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

On the third Saturday in October every year, the bridge is closed to vehicle traffic for the annual Bridge Day BASE jumping and rappelling event. —Zach Wichter, USA Today, 1 May 2026

James Stewart is a volunteer with RMRG and rappelled down the rock to help the climbers hundreds of feet off the ground. —Sarah Horbacewicz, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

In the footage, a firefighter can be seen rappelling down a cliff to reach the woman, while other firefighters secure the rope cables at the top of the cliff. —Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2026

Finally, climbers must rappel from the tree toward a specific target on the ground. —Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for rappel

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

ra-

rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope