rip cord

noun

1
: a cord by which the gasbag of a balloon may be ripped open for a limited distance to release the gas quickly and so cause immediate descent
2
: a cord or wire pulled in making a descent to release a parachute out of its container

Examples of rip cord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Before pulling the rip cord, Alabama allowed access for one to two practice periods during individual drills. Michael Casagrande | McAsagrande@al.com, al, 22 Aug. 2023 If the number finally comes in, will Arizona pull the rip cord if brass aren't satisfied? Jeremy Cluff, The Arizona Republic, 2 Aug. 2023 In late May, Sarah Lynch pulled the rip cord. oregonlive, 16 June 2021 This one from Forest Safety is equipped with a rip cord that allows the cutter to access the kit’s tourniquet with one pull. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 18 Jan. 2023 Has all the trappings of looking for a rip cord to pull. Rob Wile, NBC News, 13 May 2022 Robison displayed the reserve and main chutes, a rip cord and an automatic activation device, which would deploy a reserve parachute if a skydiver needed it. Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News, 22 Apr. 2021 With 4:03 remaining in the fourth quarter, and his team trailing by 25 points, Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue waved the flag and pulled the emotional rip cord. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 June 2018 Prior was discharged from Barnes-Jewish less than 36 hours after his admittance, no ripped cords necessary. Alex Prewitt, SI.com, 31 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rip cord.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rip cord was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near rip cord

Cite this Entry

“Rip cord.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rip%20cord. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rip cord

noun
: a cord or wire pulled by a parachute jumper to release a parachute out of its container
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