climber
Americannoun
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climbers
plural
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a person or thing that climbs.
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a climbing plant.
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a device to assist in climbing, as a climbing iron.
noun
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a person or thing that climbs
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a plant that lacks rigidity and grows upwards by twining, scrambling, or clinging with tendrils and suckers
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short for social climber
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of climber
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at climb, -er 1
Explanation
A climber is a person who hikes up steep, rocky mountains and hills. If you want to be a mountain climber, you should start with small ones before tackling Mount Everest. Climbers pull themselves up the steep, craggy sides of mountains or practice on rock walls at the gym. A person who aspires to belong to a fancier social group is another kind of climber: "He's hanging out with the rich kids again — I didn't realize he was such a climber." When you're talking about plants, a climber is anything vine-like that grows up structures: "That rose is a climber. It'll cover your fence by the end of the summer."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Instead, King wanted to know how the more experienced climber of the group, Conrad Anker, developed the discipline to call off a failed attempt just 300 feet below the summit.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Chin’s conversations with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, surfer Kelly Slater, conflict photographer Lynsey Addario, climber Alex Honnold and others explore what it takes to forge a distinct path.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
An injured climber crawled down a portion of Mt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026
Many saw Nims as an incredible climber who helped Nepalese climbers gain international recognition in a field dominated by foreigners.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026
After nearly getting killed by a falling rock low on the Southwest Face, Petter Neby, the solo Norwegian climber, was already gone: he’d quietly left Base Camp one morning and returned to Scandinavia.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
The highly technical products are designed for climbers, but the rapid brand growth has also been fueled by “gorpcore,” a fashion trend where technical gear is worn as high-end streetwear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
The Nepali team had been sent ahead of foreign climbers to prepare the camp, manage the route and fix ropes on the mountain.
From BBC ● Sep. 27, 2026
Shizuoka authorities say they will impose penalties on people who fail to register their off-season climbing attempts and strengthen efforts to keep climbers out of restricted areas.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
Officials in Yamanashi and neighbouring Shizuoka prefecture, which governs the southern part of Fuji, have seen a rise in off-season and unplanned climbs, some of which have left climbers stranded.
From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026
They had no more idea of what was involved than a small child who says he will accompany the climbers up the fell.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
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