parasailing

American  

[par-uh-sey-ling] / ˈpær əˌseɪ lɪŋ /

Or para-sailing

noun

1. the sport of soaring while harnessed to a parasail that is towed by a motorboat, car, or other fast-moving vehicle, from which one often releases oneself to float freely.

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parasailing British  

/ ˈpærəˌseɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. a sport in which a water-skier wearing a parachute is towed by a speedboat, becomes airborne, and sails along in the air

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Etymology

Origin of parasailing

para- ³ + sailing

Example Sentences

In the early 1990s, he got into parasailing, strapping tourists into parachutes and towing them behind a speed boat.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

But the top submarine tour in the United States, according to a search on Trip Advisor, will run you about as much as an afternoon of parasailing, at just $171.31 per adult.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2023

The lawyer said family members told employees they would come back the next day if the weather prevented parasailing but were reassured it would be OK.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2023

Maybe halfway through, I became unmoored — detached as if I’d suddenly been cut free from a parasailing tether I didn’t know I’d been connected to my whole life.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2023

Beyond them, a catamaran and some parasailing boats bob in the distance, anchored and bright like candies.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina