climbing

The word “climbing” means the sport or activity of ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety. In plain terms, the activity of going up something using your hands and feet, or (as an adjective) describing a plant that grows upward.

“Climbing” is pronounced KLEYE-mihng (/ˈklaɪ̯mɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “climbing” used in a sentence: “She took up climbing after visiting an indoor climbing gym.”

Depending on how it is used, “climbing” can be a noun and an adjective.

“Climbing” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Climbing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the sport or activity of ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety.

Climbing broadly means ascending rock, walls, or mountains using holds, often with ropes for safety, and includes gym and single-pitch routes. Mountaineering specifically refers to reaching the summit of a mountain, usually combining climbing with hiking, snow travel, and altitude challenges over longer expeditions.

As a noun, climbing names the sport or activity itself, as in "climbing is her favourite hobby." As an adjective, it describes something that grows or moves upward by gripping a surface, as in "a climbing plant" or "a climbing vine."

Climbing frequently pairs with words describing the surface or style, such as "rock climbing," "wall climbing," "mountain climbing," and "indoor climbing." It also combines with equipment terms like "climbing rope," "climbing gear," and "climbing shoes."