crampon

American  

[kram-pon] / ˈkræm pɒn /

Also crampoon

noun

1. a spiked iron plate worn on boots or shoes for aid in climbing or to prevent slipping on ice, snow, etc.

2. a device for grasping and lifting heavy loads, usually consisting of a pair of hooks suspended from a chain or cable, the upward pull on which provides tension for the hooks to grip the load on opposite sides.

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crampon British  

/ ˈkræmpən /

noun

1. one of a pair of pivoted steel levers used to lift heavy objects; grappling iron

2. (often plural) one of a pair of frames each with 10 or 12 metal spikes, strapped to boots for climbing or walking on ice or snow

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verb

1. to climb using crampons

Etymology

Origin of crampon

1275–1325; Middle English cra ( u ) mpon < Old French crampon < Old Low Franconian *krampo, cognate with Old High German krampfo, Middle Dutch crampe; cramp ²

Example Sentences

Climbers venturing along the Devil's Backbone trail are advised to carry crampons and ice axes.

From BBC

Battling over the icy slopes in crampons, they reached the summit in "very tough conditions" during a blizzard.

From BBC

For two months he had hiked and climbed those snow.capped peaks in the bitterest winter weather, with only his crampons and pickax for company.

From Literature

Now she knew how to use crampons and a pickax to scale a glacier, and was keenly aware of how cautious one must be around cannibals.

From Literature

The innocent-sounding words “Yes, it’s close enough to walk” can easily lure the unsuspecting tourist into an exhausting day-long climb, requiring supplemental oxygen, crampons, and a pickax.

From Literature