abseil

American  

[ahp-zahyl, ab-seyl] / ˈɑp zaɪl, ˈæb seɪl /

noun

1. rappel.

---

abseil British  

/ ˈæbsaɪl /

verb

1. mountaineering to descend a steep slope or vertical drop by a rope secured from above and coiled around one's body or through karabiners attached to one's body in order to control the speed of descent

2. to descend by rope from a helicopter

---

noun

1. an instance or the technique of abseiling

Etymology

Origin of abseil

1930–35; < German abseilen ( ab- down + seilen to rope)

Compare meaning

How does abseil compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• abseil vs. rappel

Example Sentences

Finley's mum - who completed the same abseil on Finley's behalf a couple of years ago as he was too young - said her son was "remarkable".

From BBC • May 7, 2025

In 2021 it was announced that the technicians would abseil down the bridge and use soap and water to clean the cables in an attempt to address the icing issue.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024

After managing to abseil down the mountain face to some melting ice, the two women managed to catch some water in their bottles.

From BBC • Oct. 6, 2024

The problem was the only way to excavate it was to abseil down from the top.

From BBC • Dec. 10, 2023

Mark stressed they would not have attempted the roped climb and abseil descent if they had not had the skills and appropriate equipment to do so safely.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2023