parasailing

American

[par-uh-sey-ling] / ˈpær əˌseɪ lɪŋ /

Or para-sailing

noun

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.

parasailing British

/ ˈpærəˌseɪlɪŋ /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of parasailing

para- ³ + sailing

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.

“Spending the weekend at @skylarknegril. The hotel is on 7 mile white sand beach, one of my top five spots for a quick getaway. My weight training is paying off. Parasailing optional. @gigicbikinis #skylarknegril.”

From Fox News • Feb. 5, 2019

Parasailing onto a speedboat off the beach, actor T.J.

From Reuters • May 16, 2017

Parasailing operators in Florida must have a valid boating license and their boats must be seaworthy.

From New York Times • Aug. 23, 2012

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023