parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared for writing on

2

: strong, tough, and often somewhat translucent paper made to resemble parchment

3

: a parchment manuscript

also : an academic diploma

Examples of parchment in a Sentence

Ancient people wrote on parchment.

a parchment dating back to ancient times

Line the pan with a sheet of parchment.

Recent Examples on the Web

Dab a bit of the meringue on all four corners of the baking sheet, then place the parchment paper on the baking sheet. —Martin Sorge, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, and fit a wire rack inside baking sheet. —Ivy Odom, Southern Living, 6 Feb. 2025

Turn rimmed baking sheet over and place a sheet of parchment paper on top. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 3 Feb. 2025

Plastic wrap or a barely damp kitchen towel is best; parchment paper won’t do the trick. —Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English parchemin, from Anglo-French, modification of Latin pergamena, from Greek pergamēnē, from feminine of Pergamēnos of Pergamum, from Pergamon Pergamum

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

parchment

noun

parch·​ment ˈpärch-mənt 

1

: the skin of a sheep or goat prepared as a writing material

2

: a paper like parchment

3

: something written on parchment