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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

He said there had been "deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding" about the charity, and condemned threats by "those who would hide behind a balaclava or a keyboard".

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

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

The man was wearing a balaclava, gloves and a backpack.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 23, 2026

A man wearing a balaclava allegedly ran towards the former prince while he was walking his dogs, the Daily Telegraph reports.

From BBC ● May 7, 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

The fifth series introduces Stephen Graham as John Corbett, aka "Balaclava Man", with Rochenda Sandall as his second-in-command.

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

On our return the boatmen made themselves coronals of hawthorn and blossoming apple sprays, and decorated the boat with garlands of the same, and in this festive style we made our entry into Balaclava.

From Travels in the Steppes of the Caspian Sea, the Crimea, the Caucasus, &c. by Xavier Hommaire de Hell

A resident told UK media she had alerted emergency services after seeing three vans blocking a road near the village and a group of men wearing hoods and balaclavas.

From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026

As they drew closer, I realized they were masked, only their eyes visible through their balaclavas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

He sat directly in front of me, surrounded by several of the masked men who had now taken off their balaclavas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

"These scenes have caused disruption for people and, given that people are dressed in black wearing balaclavas, there is a fear factor and obvious malign intent being communicated to our residents," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

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

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak