parasol

noun

par·​a·​sol ˈper-ə-ˌsȯl 

-ˌsäl,

ˈpa-rə-

: a lightweight umbrella used as a sunshade

Examples of parasol in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby will be a saltwater pool with a wooden deck dotted with parasols, sunbeds and private cabanas in which cocktails will be served. —Laurie Werner, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

At the top of a long, uneven staircase to the house wait glasses of water, parasols for shade, and a Steadicam, swirling in, to film the guests’ arrival for the online reels. —Nathan Heller, Vogue, 17 Oct. 2024

The parasol with a PVC stand (butt sawed sharp for jamming into soft ground) was already stowed in Sean’s car from his previous outing. —Outside Online, 23 Oct. 2024

Shirtless San Franciscans sparred for a few spare feet of sand on China Beach, sunbathers joined the surfers in Pacifica, and families pitched parasols at Alameda Beach as temperatures set new daily records in 10 different Bay Area cities. ! —Kate Talerico, The Mercury News, 6 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "screen or canopy shielding from the sun," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Italian parasole, from para "(it) shields, keeps out" (3rd singular present of parare "to prepare, adorn, avert, shield") + sole "sun," going back to Latin sōl — more at parry, solar

First Known Use

1660, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

parasol

noun

para·​sol

ˈpar-ə-ˌsȯl

: a light umbrella for protection against the sun