noun
Common
col
kol
Col (noun) means a low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks. Example: “The path climbs steeply to a col, then drops into the next valley.”
noun
1
A low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks.
"The path climbs steeply to a col, then drops into the next valley."
"From the col we could see both sides of the range."
"Turn left through a gate in the right angle of the wall and drop down to a col before climbing up the hill."
— Alan Staniforth, Cleveland Way (2019)
"I recall one specific trip when we climbed to Madison Hut which is located in the col between Mount Madison and Mount Jefferson."
— Paul Lee, Vignettes: Musings and Reminiscences of a Modern Renaissance Man (2012)
"The hikers rested at the col before continuing to the summit."
2
In meteorology, a region of relatively calm pressure between two high-pressure and two low-pressure areas.
"A col on the weather chart often brings light winds and unsettled, muggy conditions."
"Forecasters said the col would leave the area under still, cloudy skies for days."
"The weather forecaster pointed out the col forming over the region."
How to use col
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA low point or gap along a mountain ridge, used as a pass between peaks.
Common pairings
a mountain col
cross the col
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Word forms
- Plural
- cols
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The path climbs steeply to a _____, then drops into the next valley.
Etymology
From French col, "neck," from Latin collum, "neck" — the shape of a mountain col resembles a neck between two higher points.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “col” mean?
The word “col” means a low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks. In plain terms, a low point or gap along a mountain ridge, used as a pass between peaks.
How do you pronounce “col”?
“Col” is pronounced kol (/kɑl/ in IPA).
How do you use “col” in a sentence?
Here is “col” used in a sentence: “The hikers rested at the col before continuing to the summit.”
What part of speech is “col”?
“Col” is a noun.
Where does the word “col” come from?
The word “col” comes from Latin. From French col, "neck," from Latin collum, "neck" — the shape of a mountain col resembles a neck between two higher points.
Is “col” a common word?
“Col” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “col” have?
“Col” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a low dip or saddle-shaped pass in a mountain ridge between two peaks.
What is the difference between a col and a pass?
A col is the lowest dip or saddle in a mountain ridge between two peaks. A pass is a navigable route through or over mountains, and it often runs across a col, so a col is the geographic feature while a pass describes the crossing itself.
What is the difference between a col and a saddle?
The two are very close in meaning and often used interchangeably. 'Saddle' emphasises the dipped, saddle-like shape of the ridge, while 'col' is the more technical geographic term for that low point between two peaks.
How does a col affect the weather?
In meteorology a col is a region of relatively slack pressure sitting between two areas of high pressure and two of low pressure. Winds there tend to be light and variable, so the weather is often calm, and it can be prone to fog or mist.
What is a col used for in mountaineering?
Because a col is the lowest point on a ridge, it is often the easiest place for climbers and walkers to cross from one side of a mountain range to the other. Many established mountain routes and passes therefore run over cols.
