para·chute
ˈper-ə-ˌshüt 
ˈpa-rə-
1
: a device for slowing the descent of a person or object through the air that consists of a fabric canopy beneath which the person or object is suspended
2
: patagium
3
: a device or structure suggestive of a parachute in form, use, or operation
parachuted; parachuting
: to convey by means of a parachute
: to descend by means of a parachute
Examples of parachute in a Sentence
Noun
The pilot was wearing a parachute.
The supplies were dropped by parachute.
Verb
The soldiers parachuted in and quickly hid their gear.
New troops parachuted into enemy territory.
We will parachute supplies in after you arrive.
New troops were parachuted into enemy territory.
Recent Examples on the Web
Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Once the spacecraft is past that danger zone, eight parachutes will slow the spacecraft down even more before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Troops from the 82nd Airborne could parachute onto the islands from higher-flying aircraft, but such an assault would come with less equipment than can be transported by sea.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parachute
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Noun
Once Orion blazes through Earth's atmosphere, a protective heat shield will be cast off to make way for parachutes to deploy and slow the vehicle down.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Once the spacecraft is past that danger zone, eight parachutes will slow the spacecraft down even more before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.
—Brendan Byrne, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
Artemis astronauts will parachute into the Pacific after their mission like the Apollo crews did.
—Marcia Dunn, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Troops from the 82nd Airborne could parachute onto the islands from higher-flying aircraft, but such an assault would come with less equipment than can be transported by sea.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for parachute
Cite this Entry
“Parachute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parachute. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
parachute
1 of 2 noun
para·chute
ˈpar-ə-ˌshüt
1
: a folding umbrella-shaped device of light fabric used especially for making a safe jump from an aircraft
2
: something (as the bunch of hairs on a dandelion seed) that is like a parachute in form, use, or operation
parachute
2 of 2 verb
parachuted; parachuting
: to transport or come down by means of a parachute
parachutist
noun
-ˌshüt-əst
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