parapet

American  

[par-uh-pit, -pet] / ˈpær ə pɪt, -ˌpɛt /

noun

• parapets
  plural

1. Fortification.

   1. a defensive wall or elevation, as of earth or stone, in a fortification.

   2. an elevation raised above the main wall or rampart of a permanent fortification.

2. any low protective wall or barrier at the edge of a balcony, roof, bridge, or the like.

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parapet British  

/ ˈpærəpɪt, -ˌpɛt /

noun

1. a low wall or railing along the edge of a balcony, roof, etc

2. Also called: breastwork.  a rampart, mound of sandbags, bank, etc, in front of a trench, giving protection from fire from the front

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• parapeted
  adjective
• parapetless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• parapets
  plural

Etymology

Origin of parapet

1575–85; < Italian parapetto, equivalent to para- para- ² + petto chest, breast < Latin pectus

Explanation

A parapet originally meant a defensive mini-wall made of earth or stone that was built to protect soldiers on the roof of a fort or a castle. Now it indicates any low wall along the roof of a building, the edge of a balcony, the side of a bridge, or similar structure. When drawing castles, the most remarkable feature is the parapet on the top of the towers — the notches in the parapet were designed for soldiers to stand in but have come to look like a larger version of the crown of the king inside. Now, parapets are more likely to keep you from falling off a roof than protect you from enemy soldiers trying to storm the building.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

parapet parapets

The post included a photo of the actor’s recently released memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes,” and a coffee mug resting on what appears to be a home parapet.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2026

I thought last night might have been the perfect opportunity for Ben White to put his head above the parapet.

From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026

In the most superficial way, the addition is a contextual match for the main house—it is white, and it is a similar height, with a cornice and a matching parapet.

From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2025

The building's parapet will be extended and the roofscape will be tidied as part of plans for a rooftop bar overlooking St Andrew Square.

From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2024

He trotted about on the parapet, always sucking his paw, leaping from stone to stone, fighting off imaginary foes with his tiny dagger.

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

It includes work on the parapets, joints and surfacing.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2025

I’m mesmerized by a relatively new entrant into this genre: The sight of rooftop pools sloshing over their parapets, raining water onto the streets below.

From Slate ● Mar. 28, 2025

A street musician played to lunchtime crowds, and during the holidays, lights festooned the parapets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2024

The security protocol signed Tuesday, however, specified that there will be a gap between the spectators and the upper parapets, wide enough for security and rescue services to pass.

From Washington Times ● May 23, 2023

Above the parapets swirled three dark batlike creatures: the Furies.

From "The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan