piton

American  

[pee-ton] / ˈpi tɒn /

noun

Mountain Climbing.

1. a metal spike with an eye through which a rope may be passed.

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piton British  

/ pitɔ̃, ˈpiːtɒn /

noun

1. mountaineering a metal spike that may be driven into a crevice of rock or into ice and used to secure a rope

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Etymology

Origin of piton

1895–1900; < French: ringbolt, peak (of a mountain)

Example Sentences

The company that began manufacturing pitons in 1973 and became a global outdoor apparel giant began its own publishing program in 2007.

From Los Angeles Times

Union Island, spiky with pitons, is sometimes called the Tahiti of the Caribbean, and after the quiet isolation of the marine park, it felt like a return to civilization.

From New York Times

They also packed thousands of meters of rope, dozens of ice screws, rock pitons, supplemental oxygen and kerosene, 360 pounds of meat, and 400 pounds of chocolate, cookies and energy bars.

From New York Times

In Colorado, the monthly average high temperature has crept up to 59 degrees, but outdoors people haven’t been able to trade in their skis for pitons.

From Washington Times

He set up his first company – a small climbing equipment firm – more than 50 years ago only because no one was selling the kind of pitons he wanted.

From The Guardian