What does skydiving mean?
Skydiving is the activity of jumping from an aircraft and descending through the air, normally using a parachute. A participant is called a skydiver, and the jump may involve free fall before the parachute is opened, followed by a controlled descent and landing. The activity is undertaken for recreation, sport, training, or sometimes aerial work. Indoor skydiving recreates the sensation of free fall in a wind tunnel, without an aircraft or parachute. The word combines “sky” and “diving,” reflecting the practice of descending through the sky. It is related to parachuting, but “skydiving” more specifically suggests an aircraft-based jump, whereas “parachuting” can describe jumps from many kinds of elevated places. Skydiving is especially associated with tandem jumps, in which an instructor is harnessed to a novice, as well as with formal safety training and the use of specialized equipment.
The activity of jumping from an aircraft and descending, usually under a parachute, for recreation or sport.
"She had never done skydiving before her first jump."
To jump from an aircraft and descend through the air, usually with a parachute.
"They skydived over the mountains twice during the holiday."
The activity is usually treated as an uncountable noun, so a plural is uncommon.
"The film was about skydivings, although such references are relatively rare."
Before the parachute opens, a skydiver can fall through the sky at more than 100 kilometres per hour.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of skydiving
“Skydiving” is a compound formed from “sky” and “diving.” “Sky” descends from Old English “ský,” while “dive” comes through Middle English from an Old English verb associated with plunging or entering deeply. The compound refers to diving through the sky and became associated with parachute jumping during the development of modern aviation and parachuting. The related terms “skydive” and “skydiver” were formed from the same components.
Related word forms
How skydiving is actually used
“Skydiving” is broadly international, though the spelling is more common in American English. In British English, “parachuting” is also widely used. The word can refer both to the overall activity and specifically to the free-fall phase.
Easily confused with skydiving
Skydiving usually involves jumping from an aircraft, whereas parachuting can include jumping from buildings, bridges, cliffs, or other elevated places.