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

Empey, who was described in the release as an experienced climber, served as the Kuna city treasurer and was a father of eight, according to a Wednesday morning Facebook post from the city. — Rose Evans july 29, Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026

Climbing domestique Yates was the first to ail, narrowly making the time cut on stage 17, before rouleur Wellens and American climber McNulty also fell ill. — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 26 July 2026

Wildlife experts say black bears are strong climbers and may scale trees, utility poles or other tall structures when startled by people, traffic or dogs. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

The region, which is largely located inside Daniel Boone National Forest, has attracted rock climbers for decades. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing climber

• social climber
• stair-climber

Rhymes for climber

• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• timer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer