Jump To:

• 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.

---

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

---

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

Cooper acknowledged that the person he identified as YG was wearing a black balaclava that exposed only the area around his eyes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Officers explain the dispersal notice bans him from the city centre for 48 hours, and say they have confiscated vapes and his balaclava.

From BBC ● May 7, 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

But in the video itself, the signs on Croydon's North End are in English, the cyclist has no balaclava and Caz is giving him the thumbs up after a friendly chat.

From BBC ● Feb. 21, 2026

“All righ’, Harry?” he said, pulling up the balaclava so he could speak.

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

Balaclava Man, aka gang leader John Corbett, is played by guest star Stephen Graham, whose previous work includes This Is England and Pirates of the Caribbean.

From BBC ● Mar. 25, 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

Would he stamp his feet and toss his head proudly when he heard of the Greys at Waterloo or the Light Brigade at Balaclava?

From Servants of the Guns by Jeffery E. Jeffery

Residents have described riders performing wheelies and riding on pavements and footpaths at high speed, often while wearing balaclavas.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

“I have visions of older gentlemen going out at night and doing it in balaclavas and golf jumpers,” said Susan Oliver, who runs SO & Co., a fashion accessories and gift store in town.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Then more than 70 people got out of the vehicles, men dressed in military fatigues and balaclavas, cheering and playing music.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

The agents wore balaclavas partially covering their faces, he says, and some carried rifles while others had handguns in their holsters.

From BBC ● Jan. 31, 2026

They’re throwing smiles at me from the insides of two very thick balaclavas.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak