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• balaclava
  balaclava

  noun

  a close-fitting, knitted cap that covers the head, neck, and tops of the shoulders, worn especially by mountain climbers, soldiers, skiers, etc.
• Balaclava
  Balaclava

  noun

  (often not capitals) a close-fitting woollen hood that covers the ears and neck, as originally worn by soldiers in the Crimean War

balaclava

American  

[bal-, bahl-uh-klah-vuh] / ˌbæl-, ˌbɑl əˈklɑ və /

noun

• balaclavas
  plural

1. a close-fitting, knitted cap that covers the head, neck, and tops of the shoulders, worn especially by mountain climbers, soldiers, skiers, etc.

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Balaclava British  

/ ˌbæləˈklɑːvə /

noun

1. (often not capitals) a close-fitting woollen hood that covers the ears and neck, as originally worn by soldiers in the Crimean War

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• balaclavas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of balaclava

First recorded in 1880–85; named after Balaklava

Explanation

When the temperature dips well below zero, you might want to wear a balaclava, a warm knit hat that covers your entire face, leaving holes for your eyes and nose. You can also call a balaclava a "ski mask," and the ski slope is a place you're sure to see people wearing them, since a balaclava protects your face from icy winds and frigid temperatures. Grab a balaclava the next time you're headed out into the snow, and it will protect your cheeks from frost. Balaclava is named after a village (Balaklava) on the Crimean Peninsula where soldiers fighting in the Crimean War (1853–1856) wore knitted hats that covered their faces.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

balaclava Balaclava balaclavas

Strachan sat down beside her wearing a balaclava.

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

"We see the island of Cuba being strangled," said the musician, wearing sunglasses next to bandmates Moglai Bap and DJ Provai, the latter wearing a balaclava in the colors of the Irish flag.

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026

It showed a man on a bike in a balaclava, in front of shop signs written in Arabic.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026

And when a false-but-deliciously-bizarre rumor spread on TikTok that the U.K. rapper EsDeeKid was actually the actor Timothée Chalamet in a balaclava, it brought the artist a new group of giddy fans.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 18, 2026

Hagrid’s face was entirely hidden by a woolly, snow-covered balaclava, but it couldn’t possibly be anyone else, as he filled most of the corridor in his moleskin overcoat.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Vital supplies went down with ships sunk by winter storms or sat idle in the harbor at Balaclava while men died on the heights above.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026

Her solicitor is found to be linked to "Balaclava Man" - as is Huntley's boss, Assistant Chief Constable Derek Hilton.

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2019

There is no sense in wasting his time and the state’s money playing Lord Cardigan leading the Light Brigade against the Russians at Balaclava.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 6, 2016

Supplies have now reached Cossack Bay, Balaclava, bringing much-needed relief to beleaguered British forces.

From Newsweek ● Mar. 2, 2015

I suppose they were colder in their Balaclava huts, but I warrant the other atmosphere was much the same.

From Notes of a Camp-Follower on the Western Front by Hornung, E. W. (Ernest William)

Then a radio message comes through that plain-clothes officers have seen six or seven youths in balaclavas.

From BBC ● May 7, 2026

Dozens of incidents of anti-social behaviour involving balaclavas had been logged by police in the town over the last year, she said.

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2025

HASAKAH, Syria—In a wing of the notorious Al Sina prison in northeastern Syria, where some of the world’s most dangerous inmates are held, guards wearing balaclavas stood along a corridor lined with cells.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 24, 2025

A wave of stylish DIY kits offers customized sweaters, balaclavas and bags.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2025

Maybe Daryl and Keith were given the balaclavas, and my mate from last night was given his black outfit and his cantankerous demeanor.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak