crampon

noun

cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän 

1

: a hooked clutch or dog for raising heavy objects

—usually plural

2

: a climbing iron used especially on ice and snow in mountaineering

—usually plural

Illustration of crampon

• crampon 2

Examples of crampon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Le Bourhis said in a video shared by NYSDEC that his biggest mistake was waiting to put on his crampons, a metal frame with teeth that attaches to the bottom of footwear to provide traction on ice and hard snow. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2026

Hikers need to know how to use ropes, crampons and ice axes to hike the mountain. — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

Anti-slip textures improved grip on slick surfaces, while integrated crampons provided extra traction on hard ice. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 13 June 2026

Hiking with a nine-time Everest guide who outfits us with ice axes, ropes, harnesses, and crampons and leads us up a spur—where no other people have been this season—for our own bite-size moment of glory. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for crampon

• tampon

Kids Definition

crampon

noun

cram·​pon ˈkram-ˌpän 

: 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