parachute
a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting a harness or straps for allowing a person, object, package, etc., to float down safely through the air from a great height, especially from an aircraft, rendered effective by the resistance of the air that expands it during the descent and reduces the velocity of its fall.
Horology. a shockproofing device for the balance staff of a watch, consisting of a yielding, springlike support for the bearing at either end.
Informal.
the aggregate of benefits, as severance pay or vacation pay, given an employee who is dismissed from a company.
to drop or land (troops, equipment, supplies, etc.) by parachute.
to descend by parachute.
Origin of parachute
1Other words from parachute
- par·a·chut·ic, adjective
- par·a·chut·ist, par·a·chut·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for parachute
/ (ˈpærəˌʃuːt) /
a device used to retard the fall of a man or package from an aircraft, consisting of a large fabric canopy connected to a harness
(as modifier): parachute troops Sometimes shortened to: chute See also brake parachute
(of troops, supplies, etc) to land or cause to land by parachute from an aircraft
(in an election) to bring in (a candidate, esp someone well known) from outside the constituency
Origin of parachute
1Derived forms of parachute
- parachutist, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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