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

If your everyday commute also includes busting through a plate glass window and rappelling down a building, this is the backpack for you. —Adrienne So, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024

Police said the bowling bandit cut a large hole in the roof of Lanes Trains and Automobiles in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and rappelled down a rope to get inside. —Bradford Betz, Fox News, 12 Nov. 2024

The author embraces an unusual welcome to her golden years—rappelling down the longest abseil in the world. —Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2024

On the third day, the women began rappelling down the buttress. —Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 9 Oct. 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

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