climber

noun

climb·​er ˈklī-mər 

plural climbers

1

a

: a person or animal that climbs

a tree climber

a bicyclist who's an excellent climber

a mountain climber

We also teach how to handle a rope and how to belay another climber to protect them if they fall.

—Lou Whittaker

see also rock climber

b

: a climbing plant

ivy and other climbers

Owing to their size and abundance, climbing plants, especially the large woody climbers or lianes, are one of the most impressive features of the Tropical Rain forest.

—P. W. Richards

2

: social climber

Examples of climber in a Sentence

Chimpanzees are excellent climbers and spend a lot of their lives in trees.

climbers like clematis and ivy

Recent Examples on the Web

Though pursued by superior climbers, Plapp used time-trialling ability to maintain his gap in the valleys, eventually winning by a minute to realise his talent on the big stage. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 19 May 2025

In 2024, two climbers fell to their deaths while attempting to sidestep crowds in this section. —Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 17 May 2025

Crimp grips are characterized by using the tips of your fingers to grip onto a surface, much like modern-day rock climbers. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 15 May 2025

Apex follows a rock climber who finds herself being hunted in the wild. —Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing climber

• social climber
• stair climber

Rhymes for climber

• dimer
• eimer
• primer
• rhymer
• timer
• alzheimer
• heterodimer