paragliding

American  

[par-uh-glahy-ding] / ˈpær əˌglaɪ dɪŋ /

noun

1. a sport resembling hang gliding, in which a person jumps from an aircraft or high place wearing a wide, rectangular, steerable parachute.

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paragliding British  

/ ˈpærəˌɡlaɪdɪŋ /

noun

1. the sport of cross-country gliding using a specially designed parachute shaped like flexible wings.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• paraglider
  noun

Example Sentences

Felix Baumgartner, the first person to fall faster than the speed of sound, died at 56 after crashing into a hotel swimming pool while paragliding in Italy.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

After completing paragliding training in France, the 61-year-old said he had been training "for a few years" in speed flying, describing it as a "very delicate and beautiful sport".

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2023

This edition raises the stakes by taking all the glamour of yachting and mixing it with extreme activities — including paragliding, exploring caves and helicopter rides.

From New York Times • Oct. 31, 2022

Olivan, who according to media reports enjoys paragliding and surfing, has most recently served as chief growth officer.

From Reuters • Jun. 2, 2022

When working from Medellín, Colombia, I was able to go paragliding on my lunch break, because I found a tour that would pick me up and drop me back home within the hour.

From Washington Post