alpinist

noun

al·​pin·​ist ˈal-pə-nist 

variants or Alpinist

plural alpinists or Alpinists

1

: a mountain climber specializing in high, difficult ascents

In the world of alpinists Mr. Lowe was a celebrity, tackling routes that seemed impossible to other climbers and with as little equipment as he could.

—Daniel E. Slotnik

… on the top of the fifth highest mountain in the continental U.S., one on which alpinists practice before heading for the Andes and Himalayas …

—Paul Clark

2

: an Alpine skier (see alpine sense 4)

To the dedicated alpinist, cross-country skiing is an amateurish parody of the real art.

—Time

As for the women, the only American Alpinist with a shot at a medal is 20-year-old Cindy Nelson in the downhill.

—Peter Bonventre

Examples of alpinist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And as Mount Everest has become dominated by commercial ascents, these routes have only grown in popularity, since most of the climbers are not hardened alpinists. —Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 15 May 2025

The museum displays the rudimentary equipment and clothing that alpinists once used and showcases their great achievements in conquering mountains here and abroad. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025

For decades, American alpinist Kitty Calhoun made a name topping out on some of the world’s highest peaks, including the West Pillar of 27,766-foot Makalu in the Himalayas. —Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2024

British alpinists Sir Chris Bonington and Alan Hinkes wore the brand on separate expeditions to summit Mount Everest. —Violet Goldstone, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1855, in the meaning defined at sense 1