caber

American  

[key-ber] / ˈkeɪ bər /

noun

Scot.

1. a pole or beam, especially one thrown as a trial of strength.

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caber British  

/ ˈkeɪbə, ˈkebər /

noun

1. a heavy section of trimmed tree trunk thrown in competition at Highland games ( tossing the caber )

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Etymology

Origin of caber

First recorded in 1505–15, caber is from the Scots Gaelic word cabar pole

Example Sentences

Competitors took part in traditional games including tug-of-war and the caber toss, and enjoyed performances by bagpipers, drummers and dancers.

From BBC • Sep. 7, 2024

They’ll be tossing the caber, blocking the jammer and doing whatever one does in calcio storico fiorentino in “Home Game,” a new docuseries about lesser-known sports from around the globe.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2020

He’s alive and swinging, despite the best intentions of Brienne and Arya, and breathing heavily, like every interesting character on “Game of Thrones” who carries a caber or defies death.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 6, 2016

Although he plays up his roots by donning a kilt or tossing the caber - a Highland sport involving throwing a giant wooden pole - he has impeccable credentials as a German conservative.

From Reuters • Jan. 15, 2013

Tossing the caber is usually considered to be a distinctly Scottish sport, although "casting the bar," an exercise evidently similar in character, was popular in England in the 16th century but afterwards died out.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various