climber

noun

climb·​er ˈklī-mər 

plural climbers

1

a

: a person or animal that climbs

a tree climber

a bicyclist who's an excellent climber

a mountain climber

We also teach how to handle a rope and how to belay another climber to protect them if they fall.

—Lou Whittaker

see also rock climber

b

: a climbing plant

ivy and other climbers

Owing to their size and abundance, climbing plants, especially the large woody climbers or lianes, are one of the most impressive features of the Tropical Rain forest.

—P. W. Richards

2

: social climber

Examples of climber in a Sentence

Chimpanzees are excellent climbers and spend a lot of their lives in trees.

climbers like clematis and ivy

Recent Examples on the Web

Crews have ended their search for three climbers from North America who vanished attempting to climb Aoraki, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, officials said. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

The terrain in and near the park can be challenging in winter — serious ice climbers and winter hikers flock here for the steep cliffs and technical ascents — but plenty of local guides are ready to help less experienced adventurers. —Sarah Cahalan, Travel + Leisure, 23 Dec. 2024

Joshua Tree National Park, California One of my personal favorite units in the park system, Joshua Tree is home to gorgeous desert landscapes full of boulders that attract climbers and gawkers alike. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 22 Dec. 2024

Perhaps the recent competitive comebacks of 40-somethings like Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and legendary climber Chris Sharma are fueling the motivation. —Jen Murphy, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing climber

• social climber
• stair climber