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

According to the family’s attorneys, the Alaparthis, their two children and extended family members were visiting the Keys from their home in Elk Grove Village outside Chicago when they booked the parasailing trip.

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