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

Using ropes, the teens rappelled approximately 40-50 feet into the mine. —Sam Gillette, People.com, 19 Feb. 2025

Using household ropes, the three youths rappelled about 40–50 feet down a vertical shaft. —Greg Wehner, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2025

Photo: Mark Grochowski Even the scene of O’Brien rappelling down the façade was a hair away from being a do-it-yourself operation. —Mark Grochowski, Curbed, 28 June 2024

Cruise may rappel down into the Stade de France live, for a broadcast to then cut to a prerecorded video of Cruise flying to Los Angeles and skydiving into the Hollywood sign, according to USA TODAY. —Liam Adams, The Tennessean, 8 Aug. 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

Rhymes for rappel

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

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