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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:

Its parachutes and cushioning airbags had deployed as planned.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

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

For nearly 25 years, GoPro cameras have gone underwater, glided with parachutes and slipped down ski slopes, allowing the adventurous to record images of their experiences.

From Barron's ● Jun. 11, 2026

There were no parachutes, so how could I hope to reach earth alive?

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane