A parachute is a device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere by creating drag (or in the case of ram-air parachutes, aerodynamic lift).

Parachutes are usually made out of light, strong fabric, originally silk, now most commonly nylon. They are typically dome-shaped, but vary, with rectangles, inverted domes, and others found.

A variety of loads are attached to parachutes, including people, food, equipment, space capsules, and bombs.

 

Note:   The above text is excerpted from the Wikipedia article Parachute, which has been released under the GNU Free Documentation License.