climbs; climbed; climbing
1
: to move or go up (something) using your feet and often your hands
climb a ladder/tree
climb the stairs
2
: to go up mountains, cliffs, etc., as a sport
He dreams of climbing Kilimanjaro.
It took them six days to climb the mountain.
She has climbed seriously for several years now.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to move yourself in a way that usually involves going up or down
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.
The players climbed into their uniforms [=put on their uniforms] and headed for the field.
4
a
: to go higher : to go upward
The plane rapidly climbed up above the clouds.
We watched the smoke climb [=rise] into the night sky.
The trail climbs steeply as it nears the summit of the mountain.
b
: to move to a higher position in a ranking or list
The book has climbed to number 2 on the bestsellers list.
Their second album is climbing the charts.
c
: to move to a social or professional position that is more respected or powerful
The book describes how the senator climbed [=rose] to power.
He was hired right out of business school and started climbing the corporate ladder.
5
: to increase in amount, value, or level
Divorce rates have climbed in recent decades.
The company's earnings have climbed 13 percent this year.
The temperature keeps climbing.
6
of plants
: to grow up or over something
There is ivy climbing the walls of the old building.
a climbing plant [=a plant that attaches itself to something, such as a wall, as it grows up it]
plural climbs
: the act of climbing: such as
a
: the act or process of climbing a mountain, hill, etc.
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.
b
: the act or process of moving upward
The plane made a steep climb [=ascent] to 30,000 feet.
c
: the act or process of going to a higher level or position
The book chronicles her climb [=ascent] to political power.
The book made a rapid climb to the top of the best-seller list.
Cite this Entry
“Climb.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/climb. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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