First Known Use: 1785
Dictionary
1parachute
noun para·chute \ˈper-ə-ˌshüt, ˈpa-rə-\
: a piece of equipment usually made of cloth that is fastened to people or things and that allows them to fall slowly and land safely after they have jumped or been dropped from an aircraft
Full Definition of PARACHUTE
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
— para·chut·ic \ˌper-ə-ˈshü-tik, ˌpa-rə-\ adjective
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Origin of PARACHUTE
French, from para- (as in parasol) + chute fall — more at chute
Rhymes with PARACHUTE
absolute, Aleut, arrowroot, Asyût, attribute, autoroute, bandicoot, bathing suit, birthday suit, bitterroot, bodysuit, boilersuit, bumbershoot, business suit, comminute, constitute, contribute, convolute, destitute, disrepute, dissolute, execute, follow suit, gingerroot, hot pursuit, institute, involute, kiwifruit, leisure suit, malamute, overshoot, passion fruit, persecute, point-and-shoot, prosecute, prostitute, qiviut, resolute, restitute, revolute, run-and-shoot, rural route, subacute, substitute, troubleshoot, undershoot
2parachute
verb
: to jump from an aircraft using a parachute
: to drop (someone or something) from an aircraft using a parachute
parachut·edparachut·ing
Full Definition of PARACHUTE
transitive verb
: to convey by means of a parachute
intransitive verb
: to descend by means of a parachute
See parachute defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PARACHUTE
1809
PARACHUTE Defined for Kids
1parachute
noun para·chute \ˈper-ə-ˌshüt\
Definition of PARACHUTE for Kids
: a piece of equipment usually made of cloth and attached to someone or something for making a safe jump or drop from an airplane
2parachute
verb
para·chut·edpara·chut·ing
Definition of PARACHUTE for Kids
: to transport or come down by parachute
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