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

Grease a 13- x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray; line using parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang on 2 long sides. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 May 2025

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. —Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025

Line an 8-inch (20-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper. —Michael Greger, Flow Space, 24 Apr. 2025

That little piece of parchment specifically said that taxis were not allowed on their second Bulgaria leg, and the mother/daughter duo broke that rule, well, every step of the way in Wednesday’s episode. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 23 Apr. 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