rappel
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
verb
noun
-
another word (esp US) for abseil
-
(formerly) a drumbeat to call soldiers to arms
Etymology
Origin of rappel
1930–35; < French: mountaineering term, literally, a recall. See repeal
Compare meaning
How does rappel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When rock climbers rappel, they lower themselves down the side of a wall or mountain. To rappel safely, a climber uses special anchors and climbing ropes, as well as the help of another person. Descending is the riskiest part of mountaineering, so many climbers rappel instead of simply climbing down using hand- and footholds. Various tools and equipment can help a climber rappel even more safely, but the most important one is a good rope that's securely anchored. The French rappel literally means "recall." Some English speakers use the term abseil instead.
Vocabulary lists containing rappel
Into Thin Air
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The Canyon's Edge
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Wild Wings
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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.
She was speaking on board a patrol ship in Helsinki harbour where she watched armed border agents rappel from a helicopter to show how they seize Russian vessels.
From BBC • Jan. 14, 2026
You can watch our soldiers rappel out of one of the Seahawks just like Santa’s elves.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025
“I often get to climb, rappel, hike, bike or paddle some sections of the race—usually the most fun parts!”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 22, 2025
To find an olm, Dr. Manenti and his team usually have to rappel down well-like openings to reach caves including the Trebiciano abyss, about as deep as the Eiffel Tower is tall.
From New York Times • Mar. 12, 2024
As I clipped into a fixed rope and prepared to rappel over the lip, I was greeted with an alarming sight.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
