noun
Uncommon
parchment
PAHCH-muhnt
Parchment (noun) means a writing material made from treated animal skin, used before paper became common. Example: “The medieval manuscript was written on parchment.”
noun
1
A writing material made from treated animal skin, used before paper became common.
"The medieval manuscript was written on parchment."
2
A document, especially an official or ceremonial one, written on such material.
"The king's decree was sealed on a parchment scroll."
3
A pale, tan-cream colour resembling aged parchment paper.
"The walls were painted a soft parchment shade."
How to use parchment
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA durable writing material made from animal skin, or the pale cream colour associated with it.
Common pairings
parchment paper
parchment scroll
parchment colour
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like parchment.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- parchments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The medieval manuscript was written on _____.
Etymology
From Old French parchemin, ultimately from Greek Pergamenos, "of Pergamon" — the ancient city (in modern-day Turkey) credited with developing this animal-skin writing material as a substitute for papyrus.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “parchment” mean?
The word “parchment” means a writing material made from treated animal skin, used before paper became common. In plain terms, a durable writing material made from animal skin, or the pale cream colour associated with it.
How do you pronounce “parchment”?
“Parchment” is pronounced PAHCH-muhnt (/ˈpʰɑɹt͡ʃmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “parchment” in a sentence?
Here is “parchment” used in a sentence: “The medieval manuscript was written on parchment.”
What part of speech is “parchment”?
“Parchment” is a noun.
Where does the word “parchment” come from?
The word “parchment” comes from Old French. From Old French parchemin, ultimately from Greek Pergamenos, "of Pergamon" — the ancient city (in modern-day Turkey) credited with developing this animal-skin writing material as a substitute for papyrus.
Is “parchment” a common word?
“Parchment” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “parchment” have?
“Parchment” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a writing material made from treated animal skin, used before paper became common.
