Real Dictionary

parachute
A parachute is a device which enables a person to jump from an aircraft and float safely to the ground. It consists of a large piece of thin cloth attached to your body by strings.
verb: If a person parachutes or someone parachutes them somewhere, they jump from an aircraft using a parachute.

parachute in American English
a cloth contrivance usually shaped like an umbrella when expanded, and used to retard the falling speed of a person or thing dropping from an airplane, etc.: it is generally carried folded in a pack, from which it is released by a rip cord or other device
to drop or descend by parachute
noun: a folding, umbrellalike, fabric device with cords supporting a harness or straps for allowing a person, object, package, etc., to float down safely through the air from a great height, esp. from an aircraft, rendered effective by the resistance of the air

parachute in British English
noun: a device used to retard the fall of a person or package from an aircraft, consisting of a large fabric canopy connected to a harness