: a hooked clutch or dog for raising heavy objects—usually used in plural
2
: a climbing iron used especially on ice and snow in mountaineering—usually used in plural
Illustration of crampon
crampon 2
Examples of crampon in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebClimbing down the final 400 in snowy conditions usually requires ropes, crampons and ice axes because a fall on slippery terrain that steep would be almost impossible to stop.—Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024 The Forest Service advised those who travel in avalanche terrain to carry such tools as crampons, an ice axe, a helmet, an avalanche beacon and a shovel.—David Chiu, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The agency says traveling in avalanche terrain requires careful use of mountaineering tools and equipment including crampons, ice axe and the skills to use them.—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Choose based on climate and terrain For technical mountaineering, Todd recommends a full-shank boot with waterproofing and a back welt for crampons.—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2024 However, there is another way to keep climbing with axes and crampons.—Jacopo Pasotti, WIRED, 25 Jan. 2024 As climbers chop into the ice with their tools and crampons, frozen debris rains below.—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024 Climbing tools — ice axes, crampons, ice screws, pitons and so on — are stronger and lighter than ever.—John Branch, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2023 San Juan Mountain Guides rents skis, crampons, avalanche kits, and more from their shop on Main Street.—Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crampon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Middle French crampon, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe
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