crampon

noun

cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän 

1

: 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 Web

Hiking with a nine-time Everest guide who outfits us with ice axes, ropes, harnesses, and crampons and leads us up a spur—where no other people have been this season—for our own bite-size moment of glory. —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026

But the force of his falling body caused the crampon to pop off and become lost. —Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 14 Mar. 2026

Milestone said the duo did have proper gear for the ascent—crampons, ice axes, and helmets. —Frederick Dreier, Outside, 10 Mar. 2026

Those competitors carry gear such as avalanche transceivers, crampons, ice axes and climbing ropes. —Evan Bush, NBC news, 15 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French crampon, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crampon

• tampon

Kids Definition

crampon

noun

cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän 

: a set of steel spikes that fit on the bottom of a climbing boot to give a better grip on slopes of hard ice or snow

—usually used in plural