parkour

noun

par·​kour pär-ˈku̇r How to pronounce parkour (audio)
ˈpär-ˌku̇r
: the sport of traversing environmental obstacles by running, climbing, or leaping rapidly and efficiently

Examples of parkour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although an Assassin's Creed-style parkour system would do wonders for the game's movement given the setting, the protagonist's magical steed was a joy to ride. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 2026 The goal is not just a smaller number on the scale, but a healthier cat that can move comfortably and still have energy for window patrol and the occasional furniture parkour routine. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 While Burke learned parkour at a local gym, his social life migrated online. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 The Sheriff’s Office said Dax is known for doing parkour and finding any excuse to sprint at full speed. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for parkour

Word History

Etymology

French, alteration of parcours course, route, from Medieval Latin percursus, from Latin percurrere to run through, from per- + currere to run

First Known Use

2002, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parkour was in 2002

Rhymes for parkour

See All Rhymes for parkour

Browse Nearby Words

park oneself
parkour
park ranger
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parkour.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parkour. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

parkour

noun
par·​kour pär-ˈku̇r How to pronounce parkour (audio)
ˈpär-ˌku̇r
: the sport of traversing environmental obstacles by running, climbing, or leaping rapidly and efficiently
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of apiary

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All