crampon

noun

cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän How to pronounce crampon (audio)
1
: a hooked clutch or dog for raising heavy objects
usually used in plural
2
: a climbing iron used especially on ice and snow in mountaineering
usually used in plural

Illustration of crampon

Illustration of crampon
  • crampon 2

Examples of crampon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The terrain is technical and icy, requiring ropes and crampons. Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 17 Sep. 2023 The required gear list for the PTL includes a mountaineering helmet, crampons, and a rock climbing harness with a double lanyard rigging system with locking carabiners used on via ferrata routes. Brian Metzler, Outside Online, 24 Aug. 2022 Patterson encouraged people recreating in the mountains this year to be prepared with gear for traversing snow and ice, such as ice axes, crampons and microspikes, and devices for calling for help in remote locations, such as satellite messengers. Abhinanda Bhattacharyya, Los Angeles Times, 27 July 2023 Some tours give visitors a chance to hike out onto the glacier wearing metal crampons. Nora Walsh, Travel + Leisure, 5 June 2023 In the comments on his Instagram page, @lespowtos, the skier describes making it out with crampons, or ice cleats, and a small piece of rope from his friends. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 22 Apr. 2023 The lacing system is smooth and secure, and the hard rubber sole (outfitted with a Roc-Plate) is capable of handling all terrain thanks to multi-directional crampons. John Thompson, Men's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Mike Leum stepped into the icy mountain with his crampon, using the steel-spiked footwear to find purchase. Amanda Lee Myers, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2023 Achut, again, rescued me from myself and retrieved the lost crampon. San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Dec. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'crampon.' 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

Middle English, from Middle French crampon, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crampon was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near crampon

Cite this Entry

“Crampon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crampon. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

crampon

noun
cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän How to pronounce crampon (audio)
: a set of steel spikes that fit on the bottom of a climbing boot to give a better grip on slopes of hard ice or snow
usually used in plural
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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