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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

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

There’s a man in a balaclava sitting at the table, eating a meat pie with sauce.

From "I Am the Messenger" by Markus Zusak

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

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

During the war, Adair worked as an ambulance driver, which inspired her 1983 novel Blitz on Balaclava Street, written under the pen name Clare Nicol.

From BBC ● Nov. 23, 2015

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

From Newsweek ● Mar. 2, 2015

In the Crimea great distress was caused because the ships in Balaclava harbour could not manage to discharge their stores.

From March to Magdala by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

In the clips, the faces of self-confessed thieves are covered with balaclavas or emojis.

From BBC ● May 19, 2026

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

"We want our guests to feel comfortable and not put off from eating here if they see customers wearing tracksuits, hoodies and even balaclavas," he said.

From BBC ● Nov. 10, 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