carabiner

noun car·a·bi·ner \ ˌker-ə-ˈbē-nər , ˌka-rə- \

variants: or less commonly karabiner

|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Definition of carabiner

: a usually D-shaped or oblong metal ring with one spring-hinged side that is used especially in mountain climbing as a connector and to hold a freely running rope

Recent Examples of carabiner from the Web

Eric Adams, an aviation journalist and photographer who was aboard a different Liberty helicopter on Sunday evening, said riders were strapped in from the rear, with carabiners attaching their harnesses to tethers.

— patrick mcgeehan, New York Times, "F.A.A. Halts ‘Doors-Off’ Helicopter Flights After New York Crash," 16 Mar. 2018
Loop the straps of the Grand Trunk OneMade Double Trunktech around a couple of pieces of timber, clip the carabiners, and climb in.

— Outside Online, "The Best Hammocks of 2018," 15 May 2018
As soon as the helicopter splashed down, Mr. Vance reached back and tried to unscrew a carabiner that attached the front-seat passenger to the aircraft, the report said.

— patrick mcgeehan, New York Times, "Passenger’s Harness May Have Tripped Switch in Deadly Helicopter Crash," 26 Mar. 2018
So with the help of photog Mark Iantosca, Monson took things into her own hands, stocking up on neon cord and carabiner clasps and creating spot-on copies of the statement bracelets.

— elana fishman, Marie Claire, "DIY-Not? Bloggers Get Crafty with Do-It-Yourself Accessories," 11 Apr. 2011
His five passengers, however, each wore harnesses that were attached to the helicopter by tethers, secured via locking carabiners to metal rings between their shoulder blades.

— eric adams, WIRED, "Inside the Safety Issues Surrounding the NY Helicopter Crash," 8 Apr. 2018
The harnesses weren’t installed by the manufacturer of the Eurocopter AS350 B2, but were off-the-shelf nylon harnesses attached to each occupant’s back by a locking carabiner to a lanyard, investigators said.

— bart jansen, USA TODAY, "Pilot of fatal helicopter crash tells investigators fuel supply was turned off in flight," 26 Mar. 2018
The harness system was comprised of off-the-shelf components consisting of a nylon fall-protection harness that was attached at the occupants' back by a locking carabiner to a lanyard, the report says.

— sarah jorgensen, CNN, "NTSB releases preliminary report on New York City helicopter crash," 26 Mar. 2018
Video provided by Newsy Newslook A dog found with a carabiner hook stuck through his neck dragging a 15-pound chain is healing after undergoing surgery, the Detroit Dog Rescue group said in a Facebook post Tuesday.

— detroit free press staff, Detroit Free Press, "Dog found with hook in neck is healing after surgery," 7 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carabiner.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.