climbed; climbing; climbs
1
2
a
: to go upward or raise oneself especially by grasping or clutching with the hands
climbed aboard the train
b
of a plant
: to ascend in growth (as by twining)
Ivy is climbing up the walls of the old building.
3
: to go about or down usually by grasping or holding with the hands
climb down the ladder
4
: to get into or out of clothing usually with some haste or effort
the firefighters climbed into their clothes
1
: to go upward on or along, to the top of, or over
climb a hill
2
: to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the top of by using hands and feet
children climbing the tree
3
: to grow up or over
ivy climbing the wall
Synonyms
Examples of climb in a Sentence
Verb
He dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro.
It took them six days to climb the mountain.
She has climbed seriously for several years now.
The actors were climbing down from the stage.
He climbed over the fence.
The passengers of the sailboat climbed aboard.
The pilot climbed into the cockpit.
I think she climbed in through the window.
He climbed out of the car with a box in his hands.
Noun
It's a 20-minute climb to the ridge from here.
He's planning to attempt one of the most difficult climbs in South America this summer.
The book made a rapid climb to the top of the best-seller list.
Recent Examples on the Web
Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
After no one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball in the Monday, April 1 drawing, the grand prize climbed to a whopping $1.09 billion for Wednesday, April 3.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
The 1874 Little Sable Point Lighthouse hosts summer concerts, and visitors can climb the tower for stunning views of the forest, dunes, and lake.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The nearly neon green kudzu, not just a romantic notion, climbs.
—Lisa Donovan, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
These climbing vines enjoy bright, ambient light but can survive in lower light conditions as well.
—Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
By far the best has been the 1,600 meters, where 11 boys and seven girls have climbed to the top of the victory stand.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
Summer is the perfect time to try the experiences at The Peak, with two pools, adventure activities—think: ropes course or a climbing wall—art classes, and other cultural offerings.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The number of referrals the team has made to outside organizations has climbed steadily.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Liftoff from SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas, flight test facility on the Gulf Coast is now planned for 9:25 a.m. EDT (8:25 a.m. local time) kicking off an eight-and-a-half-minute climb to space.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
The climb in fuel costs and rent offset flat food prices.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
And the party is projecting optimism with the now-open seat despite facing a steep uphill climb in the 8th Congressional District that has remained solidly Republican for much of the past decade.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024
On the climb, employees are in control of their own goals.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell are all back as the band continues their climb back to relevance.
—Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024
Boomers and Gen Xers already report difficulty in outliving their savings, and young adults are navigating the same uphill climb but without the safety of a pension or guarantee of social security still being around.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024
Rising shelter costs and a sharp climb in gas prices together contributed to 60% of the monthly jump in prices last month, according to CPI.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Verb
This fast-growing, easy-to-care-for vine can climb a trellis, spill over a retaining wall, or be used as ground cover on a bank or hill.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024
After no one matched all five numbers plus the Powerball in the Monday, April 1 drawing, the grand prize climbed to a whopping $1.09 billion for Wednesday, April 3.
—Steven Martinez, Journal Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2024
The 1874 Little Sable Point Lighthouse hosts summer concerts, and visitors can climb the tower for stunning views of the forest, dunes, and lake.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The nearly neon green kudzu, not just a romantic notion, climbs.
—Lisa Donovan, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
These climbing vines enjoy bright, ambient light but can survive in lower light conditions as well.
—Essence, 2 Apr. 2024
By far the best has been the 1,600 meters, where 11 boys and seven girls have climbed to the top of the victory stand.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2024
Summer is the perfect time to try the experiences at The Peak, with two pools, adventure activities—think: ropes course or a climbing wall—art classes, and other cultural offerings.
—Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
The number of referrals the team has made to outside organizations has climbed steadily.
—Ron Wood, arkansasonline.com, 23 Mar. 2024
Noun
The Heat would prefer not to again face the uphill climb that the play-in tourney presents, but that possibility is again a reality for Miami.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Liftoff from SpaceX's Boca Chica, Texas, flight test facility on the Gulf Coast is now planned for 9:25 a.m. EDT (8:25 a.m. local time) kicking off an eight-and-a-half-minute climb to space.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
The climb in fuel costs and rent offset flat food prices.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024
And the party is projecting optimism with the now-open seat despite facing a steep uphill climb in the 8th Congressional District that has remained solidly Republican for much of the past decade.
—Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024
On the climb, employees are in control of their own goals.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024
Sara Bareilles, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and Paula Pell are all back as the band continues their climb back to relevance.
—Abid Rahman, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Mar. 2024
Boomers and Gen Xers already report difficulty in outliving their savings, and young adults are navigating the same uphill climb but without the safety of a pension or guarantee of social security still being around.
—Chloe Berger, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2024
Rising shelter costs and a sharp climb in gas prices together contributed to 60% of the monthly jump in prices last month, according to CPI.
—Bryan Mena, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'climb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb and Noun
Middle English, from Old English climban; probably akin to Old English clifian to adhere — more at cleave
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a
Noun
circa 1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of climb was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing climb
Articles Related to climb
Dictionary Entries Near climb
Cite this Entry
“Climb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/climb. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
climb
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to rise gradually to a higher point
climb from poverty to wealth
b
: to slope upward
the road climbs steeply to the summit
2
a
: to go up or down often with the help of the hands in holding or pulling
b
: to go upward in growing (as by winding around something)
a climbing vine
climber
noun
-mər
climb
2 of 2 noun1
: a place where climbing is necessary
2
: the act of climbing
More from Merriam-Webster on climb
Nglish: Translation of climb for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of climb for Arabic Speakers
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