parapet

noun

par·​a·​pet ˈper-ə-pət 

-ˌpet, 

ˈpa-rə-

1

: a wall, rampart, or elevation of earth or stone to protect soldiers

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

2

: a low wall or railing to protect the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge

The visitor peered over the parapet with binoculars.

called also parapet wall

parapeted

ˈper-ə-ˌpe-təd 

ˈpa-rə-

adjective

Illustration of parapet

• P parapet 1

Examples of parapet in a Sentence

The invaders fired arrows over the castle's parapet.

Recent Examples on the Web

The home stands apart in other ways, operating entirely off the grid with solar panels concealed behind parapets and water drawn from snowmelt. —Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026

Charles placed an arrangement of flowers on a parapet before the couple silently bowed their heads in a moment of reflection. —Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

They were greeted at the National 9/11 memorial plaza in Lower Manhattan by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, then walked to one of the memorial’s two pools, where parapets bear the names of the victims of the attacks. —ABC News, 29 Apr. 2026

Charles laid flowers on the parapet. —Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Italian; Middle French parapete, parapet, borrowed from Italian parapetto, from para "(it) shields, protects" (3rd singular present of parare "to prepare, adorn, avert, shield") + petto "breast, chest," going back to Latin pector-, pectus — more at parry, pectoral entry 2

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing parapet

• put/stick/raise one's head above the parapet

Rhymes for parapet

• alphabet
• arpanet
• bayonet
• biuret
• cigarette
• clarinet
• coronet
• coverlet
• dataset
• epithet
• ethernet
• heavyset

Kids Definition

parapet

noun

par·​a·​pet ˈpar-ə-pət 

-ˌpet

1

: a wall of earth or stone to protect soldiers

2

: a low wall or railing at the edge of a platform, roof, or bridge