paratrooper

[ par-uh-troo-per ]

noun

1. a member of a military infantry unit trained to attack or land in combat areas by parachuting from airplanes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paratrooper¹

First recorded in 1940–45; para- ³ + trooper

Example Sentences

The former paratrooper set off from Chile in 1998 and is more than two thirds of the way into the 36,000-mile adventure.

From BBC

Mrs Baillie was even once married to a paratrooper and served in the Women's Royal Naval Service during the Second World War but had never considered a jump.

From BBC

Zo was determined to return to the fight in her homeland, and joining up with Poland's elite paratrooper unit in Britain - known as the Cichociemni or Silent Unseen - made this possible.

From BBC

"I immediately knew what it was. I recognised it as gunfire," the former paratrooper told the BBC several days after the shooting.

From BBC

One witness, Thomas Gleason, who served 21 years with the US Army as paratrooper and ranger, said "there should have been greater security for a long-range threat".

From BBC

Related Words

• commando
• fighter
• guard
• guerrilla
• marine
• mercenary
• officer
• pilot
• trooper
• veteran
• volunteer