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

Nearby, participants can also rappel backward down a 60-foot wall. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Video on social media appears to show Patterson rappelling from the arena’s rafters on a rope, and plummeting fast to the ground. — Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

An Air Force service member died Saturday after falling while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome ahead of UTSA's game against Navy. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

This will prevent you from rappelling off the end of the rope and falling the rest of the way to the ground — one of the most common and avoidable ways climbers die. — Daniel Duane, New York Times, 14 Oct. 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