Sherpa

[ shur-puh ]

noun

, plural Sher·pas, (especially collectively) Sher·pa.

1. a member of a people of Tibetan descent living in the Nepalese Himalayas, who often serve as porters on mountain-climbing expeditions.
2. a Tibetic language spoken by the Sherpa.
3. Sometimes sherpa. an expert chosen by a chief executive to assist in preparations for a summit meeting.

sherpa

¹

/ ˈʃɜːpə /

noun

1. an official who makes preparations for or assists a government representative or important delegate at a summit meeting or conference

Sherpa

²

/ ˈʃɜːpə /

noun

1. a member of a people of Mongolian origin living on the southern slopes of the Himalayas in Nepal, noted as mountaineers

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sherpa¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from Sherpa sharpa, equiavalent to shar “east” + pa “people” (referring to the origin of this people in eastern Tibet)

Word History and Origins

Origin of Sherpa¹

C20: from Sherpa , a member of a people noted for providing assistance to mountaineers: from a pun on the different senses of summit

Example Sentences

For a broader scope, travel companies and organizations have created interactive maps for the entire world, such as Sherpa, the International Air Transport Association and Kayak, the online travel agency.

From Washington Post

A sick Sherpa either has to walk into town or spend as much as $3,000—potentially half a year’s income—for a helicopter evacuation to the capital.

From Time

Perhaps this is the reason for the air of grim determination hanging over Base Camp, where a 19-year-old Sherpa guide has become one of the latest climbers to be stricken with a cough and a fever.

From Time

The Sherpa jackets are perfect right now as it’s getting colder, I have the animal print one.

From Essence.com

Pieces include fall and winter essentials like Sherpa jackets and matching sweatsuits.

From Essence.com

The sherpa strike left you with no highest mountain to climb?

From The Daily Beast

When she was 20, she met Lopsang Sherpa, an established mountaineer, who also thought her too tall to marry.

From The Daily Beast

The pride of Kathmandu is a cross-country skier named — I kid you not — Sherpa.

From The Daily Beast

His humility is refreshing; Sherpa himself expects a last-place finish.

From The Daily Beast

These headlamps, Sher realized, belonged to a team of Sherpa descending to base camp.

From The Daily Beast