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drogue parachute

American  
[drohg par-uh-shoot] / ˈdroʊg ˌpær ə ʃut /

noun

  1. Also called drogue.  a small parachute that deploys first in order to pull a larger parachute from its pack.

  2. Also called drag parachute.  a parachute used to slow a vehicle or aircraft.


Etymology

Origin of drogue parachute

First recorded in 1950–55

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:

Once the rocket reaches an altitude of about 8.3 miles up, it deploys a drogue parachute to slow its fall, followed by a main parachute.

From The Verge May 2, 2022

But once at a certain altitude, the Electron will deploy a drogue parachute and a main parachute to slow its fall.

From The Verge Nov. 19, 2020

Mr. Baumgartner hopes to remain stable and conscious throughout his longer fall without relying on a drogue parachute.

From New York Times Mar. 15, 2010

He was supposed to be stabilized during his fall by a small drogue parachute, but on one training jump in 1959 it did not open because the cord got tangled around his neck.

From New York Times Mar. 15, 2010

At an altitude of 50,000 ft., a bar-ostatically-triggered drogue parachute is released.

From Time Magazine Archive

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