rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

ra-

rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

intransitive verb

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope passed under one thigh, across the body, and over the opposite shoulder or through a special friction device

rappel noun

Examples of rappel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead, Mia chooses to take up arms against Gizelle, waiting to confront her at Ashley’s charity event for homelessness … which, confusingly, involved Ashley rappelling off the side of a massive office building. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2024

Tennessee police are searching for a brazen burglar who rappelled down into a bowling alley business early Sunday and stole around $1,500 in cash. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024

If your everyday commute also includes busting through a plate glass window and rappelling down a building, this is the backpack for you. —Adrienne So, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024

Police said the bowling bandit cut a large hole in the roof of Lanes Trains and Automobiles in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and rappelled down a rope to get inside. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, recall, from Old French rapel, from rapeler to recall, from re- + apeler to appeal, call — more at appeal

First Known Use

1944, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

rappel

verb

rap·​pel rə-ˈpel 

ra-

rappelled also rappeled; rappelling also rappeling

: to descend (as from a cliff) by sliding down a rope