ripcord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Figurative
Quick answer
What does “ripcord” mean?
A cord pulled to open a parachute during descent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cord pulled to open a parachute during descent.
Any cord or mechanism that, when pulled, initiates a rapid release, deployment, or emergency action. Used metaphorically for a decisive action to escape a situation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and usage are identical.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to larger skydiving culture, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “ripcord” in a Sentence
pull [the] ripcorddeploy [the] ripcordgrab for [the] ripcordVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ripcord” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He ripcorded at the last safe altitude.
- The system is designed to ripcord automatically.
American English
- She ripcorded after a ten-second freefall.
- The mechanism failed to ripcord.
adjective
British English
- The ripcord mechanism was inspected.
- A ripcord deployment system.
American English
- The ripcord handle was brightly colored.
- Ripcord failure is rare.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Figurative: 'The CEO pulled the ripcord on the failing project.'
Academic
Rare, except in technical engineering contexts describing deployment mechanisms.
Everyday
Mainly in discussions of skydiving or as a metaphor for quitting/escaping.
Technical
Standard term in aviation, parachuting, and some mechanical engineering for a manual deployment cord.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ripcord”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ripcord”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ripcord”
- Using 'ripcord' to refer to any rope on a parachute (e.g., steering lines).
- Misspelling as 'rip chord' (a chord in music).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. However, it can refer to similar cords on hot air balloons or inflatable life rafts, and is used metaphorically.
Yes, in specialized contexts (e.g., skydiving jargon), meaning 'to deploy a parachute by pulling the ripcord.' It is not common in general English.
A 'ripcord' is the specific cord you pull to open the parachute. 'Parachute cord' (or paracord) is a general term for the strong, lightweight cord used in the parachute's lines and many other applications.
It is informal, typically found in business journalism or conversational metaphors. It is not appropriate for formal academic or legal writing.
A cord pulled to open a parachute during descent.
Ripcord: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɪp.kɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɪp.kɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pull the ripcord (on something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RIP (to tear open) + CORD. You RIP open the parachute with a CORD.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMERGENCY ESCAPE IS PULLING A RIPCORD.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, what does 'to pull the ripcord' mean?