Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

parachutes

  • plural
    of parachute.
    parachute
    noun
    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.
  • present tense form
    of parachute (3rd person singular).
    parachute
    noun
    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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Former Montana smokejumper — a firefighter who parachutes into rural terrain to contain wildfires — Sam Forstag is also hoping to go to D.C. as the state’s first Democratic member of Congress in 30 years.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

Ellis herself—portrayed by the much-honored English actress Sharon D. Clarke—is a specialist of sorts, a crack investigator who parachutes into under-resourced locales to help with cases deemed otherwise unsolvable.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

He said: "We've had Gayle King and Katy Perry come back safely to Earth with parachutes using fabric that was made right here in Devon."

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

All three landed under good parachutes but two people collided with each other during the freefall.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

Some stagger around mutely, staring at the remaining silver parachutes in their hands, as if they still might have something precious inside.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins