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

Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and repeat with remaining dumplings. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025

Add the cauliflower and garlic, along with any browned bits and oil on the parchment paper, to the saucepan. —Kelly Brant, arkansasonline.com, 28 Jan. 2025

Line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with parchment paper, allowing excess to hang over the edge. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 27 Jan. 2025

Pipe Heart Shape Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet; set aside. —Erin Hooker, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 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