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

While Western climbers regard Everest as a peak to be conquered, Tenzing reveres it as a sacred mother goddess. — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 25 Aug. 2026

The terrain was so steep that the technician could not safely disconnect from the hoist hook after reaching the first climber. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Two climbers who became stranded in Big Sur on California's Central Coast were brought to safety following a weekend rescue that was captured on video, according to officials. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

Authorities have introduced new rules in recent years, including a cap on the maximum number of climbers per day and requiring them to take a brief class about hiking safety. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

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