clamber

verb

clam·​ber ˈklam-bər  ˈkla-mər 

clambered; clambering ˈklam-b(ə-)riŋ  ˈklam-riŋ 

ˈkla-mər-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to climb awkwardly or with effort especially by using both the hands and the feet

We clambered over the rocks.

They clambered up the hill.

clamberer

ˈklam-bər-ər 

ˈkla-mər-ər

noun

Synonyms of clamber

• climb
• scramble

Examples of clamber in a Sentence

The children clambered over the rocks.

We clambered up the steep hill.

Recent Examples on the Web

That might include debris left behind or other damages like cars dented from scores of teens clambering over them while fleeing police. — Safiyah Riddle, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Several members equipped with climbing harnesses clambered up a small tree on the school’s front lawn and dangled from its limbs on climbing ropes. — Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026

The Northern California amusement parks that exist today include Children’s Wonderland in Vallejo, where children enter through castle doors guarded by crocodiles to clamber on a teapot, pirate ship and pumpkin carriage. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 July 2026

Video on state broadcaster CCTV showed the students, wearing bright orange life vests, clambering onto boats that took them away from the surreal scene of school buildings rising out of a lake of muddy water. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clambren; akin to Old English climban to climb

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for clamber

• amber
• camber
• tambour

Kids Definition

clamber

verb

clam·​ber ˈklam-bər 

clambered; clambering -b(ə-)riŋ 

: to climb awkwardly