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

The park has the only remaining site of native Caddo maple, or sugar maple, trees, and local activities include rappelling down the canyon, walking on nature trails, hiking on a rocky trail and fishing. —Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 15 Jan. 2026

One notable example was an early morning raid of a Chicago apartment building in October last year in which armed federal agents rappelled from helicopters, kicking down doors and throwing flash bang grenades, rounding up adults and screaming children alike. —Richard Hall, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

In one Chicago raid, federal agents rappelled from Black Hawk helicopters onto an apartment building. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

Soldiers rappelled from the helicopters to the upper deck and trained their rifles on us. —Emily Wilder, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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