Etymology From Middle English climben, clymben, from Old English climban (“to climb”), from Proto-West Germanic *klimban, from Proto-Germanic *klimbaną (“to climb, go up by clinging”), believed to be a nasalised variant of Proto-Germanic *klibaną, *klibāną (“to stick, cleave”), from Proto-Indo-European *gley- (“to stick”). Cognate with West Frisian klimme (“to climb”), Dutch klimmen (“to climb”), German klimmen (“to climb”), Old Norse klembra (“to squeeze”), Icelandic klifra (“to climb”). Related to clamber. See also clay, glue.
To traverse a slope or contour, either upwards (ascending) or downwards (descending).
after I had found (the goats') haunts a little, I laid wait in this manner for them: I observed if they saw me in the valleys, though they were upon the rocks, they would run away, as in a terrible fright; but if they were feeding in the valleys, and I was upon the rocks, they took no notice of me; from whence I concluded that, by the position of their optics, their sight was so directed downward that they did not readily see objects that were above them; so afterwards I took this method - I always climbed the rocks first, to get above them, and then had frequently a fair mark.1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe Chapter 4
People ask me, What is the use of climbing Mount Everest? and my answer must at once be, "It is of no use." There is not the slightest prospect of any gain whatsoever...What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to live. That is what life means and what life is for.1923, George Mallory, original quotation from Mallory's written manuscript notes for his 1923 United States fundraising lecture tour, found within "Climbing Everest: The Complete Writings of George Mallory"
1 more example
When I call up Dennis Tully to memory, it is always in the shop or in the fine, crowded house that I see him, and never standing apart, with clear space shaping itself behind him. And yet I must often have seen him so, climbing down the church steps after Mass, or walking across the square, hat firmly anchored. Always, I see him moving among things, a thick atmosphere of objects.1988, Thomas Flanagan, The Tenants of Time Chapter 4
2
(literally or figuratively): To ascend; rise; to go up.
{{RQ:Dryden Aeneis|7|passage=Black vapours climb aloft, and cloud the day.}
Looking up suddenly, I found mine eyes / Confronted with the minster's vast repose. / Silent and gray as forest-leaguered cliff / Left inland by the ocean's slow retreat, / […] / Remembering shocks of surf that clomb and fell, / Spume-sliding down the baffled decuman, […]1869 December (indicated as 1870 January), James Russell Lowell, “The Cathedral”, in James Thomas Fields, editor, The Atlantic Monthly: A Magazine of Literature, Science, Art, and Politics, volume XXV, number CXLVII, Boston, Mass.: Fields, Osgood, & Co., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 5:
2 more examples
So we continue climbing to the saddle of the Kleine Scheidegg, where ahead there comes into view the wide expanse of the Grindelwald valley, backed by the snowy crown of the Wetterhorn.1960 December, Voyageur, “The Mountain Railways of the Bernese Oberland”, in Trains Illustrated, page 752:
After Bridge of Orchy, the line climbs steeply into the wild country of Rannoch Moor. The railway builders chose a different route across the moor from the road - we are completely on our own up here.2023 November 29, Paul Clifton, “West is best in the Highlands”, in RAIL, number 997, page 39:
3
To ascend in a non-physical or figurative sense.
The hit song has climbed to the number one spot.
4
Figuratively To move to a higher position on a chart or hierarchy.
Prices climbed steeply.
People may spend their whole lives climbing the ladder of success only to find, once they reach the top, that the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life Introduction
5
To mount; to move upwards on.
climbing a tree
They climbed the mountain.
1 more example
Other Hooverian devices become familiar too. Characters often have names that are so obscure they barely seem like real names (Ryle, Lowen, Chastin, Atlas, Crew) but might wind up climbing the baby name list — now you know why — in a few years’ time.2023 July 6, Pamela Paul, “What’s the Story With Colleen Hoover?”, in The New York Times:
6
To scale; to get to the top of something.
He is a curly-haired schoolboy barely in his teens, but 13-year-old Jordan Romero from California has become the youngest person to climb Mount Everest.2010 May 22, David Harrison, “American boy, 13, is youngest person to climb Everest”, in Daily Telegraph online:
7
To enter, mount or otherwise assume a position in or on a conveyance.
He climbed into the passenger-seat of the car.
We'll climb back on our bikes and continue the route.
8
To move (especially up and down something) by gripping with the hands and using the feet.
My legs were so stiff and my arms so sore that this morning I could barely climb out of bed.
Greasing involves climbing under the vehicle into an inspection pit.
3 more examples
A priest clad in a white robe climbs the tree and with a golden sickle cuts the mistletoe, which is caught in a white cloth.1900, James Frazer, The Golden Bough Chapter 65:
She thought she must have been mistaken at first, for none of the scarecrows in Kansas ever wink; but presently the figure nodded its head to her in a friendly way. Then she climbed down from the fence and walked up to it, while Toto ran around the pole and barked.1900 May 17, L[yman] Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Ill.; New York, N.Y.: Geo[rge] M[elvin] Hill Co., →OCLC:
Cutter and Bolan climbed around the furniture and piled into the back of the truck.2008, Tony Atkins, Dragonhawk - the Turning:
9
To practise the sport of climbing.
10
To jump high.
The defender climbed majestically at the near post to convert Johnson's corner.2010 December 28, Paul Fletcher, “Man City 4 - 0 Aston Villa”, in BBC:
As the game moved towards injury time, the Ospreys forced a line-out which Jonathan Thomas climbed high to take.2008 September 13, “Ospreys Glasgow Magners League”, in South Wales Evening Post:
1 more example
Four minutes of stoppage time were virtually up when Ricketts climbed to head in the equaliser from substitute Nicky Southall's centre.2001 December 29, Derick Allsop, “Bolton's nine men hit back to steal a point”, in Daily Telegraph online:
11
(botany) Of plants, to grow upwards by clinging to something.
Etymology From Middle English climben, clymben, from Old English climban (“to climb”), from Proto-West Germanic *klimban, from Proto-Germanic *klimbaną (“to climb, go up by clinging”), believed to be a nasalised variant of Proto-Germanic *klibaną, *klibāną (“to stick, cleave”), from Proto-Indo-European *gley- (“to stick”). Cognate with West Frisian klimme (“to climb”), Dutch klimmen (“to climb”), German klimmen (“to climb”), Old Norse klembra (“to squeeze”), Icelandic klifra (“to climb”). Related to clamber. See also clay, glue.
1
An act of climbing.
Make sure that you keep checking to see that everything remains safe throughout the climb.2007, Nigel Shepherd, Complete Guide to Rope Techniques:
2
The act of getting to somewhere more elevated.
The Mur de Péguère is a savage little climb, its last four kilometres a narrow tunnel of trees and excited spectators urging on the straining riders.2012 July 15, Richard Williams, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track, Guardian Unlimited:
I guess the room wasn't so bad, except for the climb to get there. The stairs were destined to be a serious health hazard.1999, B. Keith Jones, The Roomie Do Me Blues:
3
An effort of moving upward.
After a decade of prosperity, millions of Asians are likely to be pushed into poverty, and the climb out of poverty will stall for millions of others.1998 September 30, AP, “Worst May Lie Ahead For Asia, Report Warns”, in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
This memorial dedicated to those / Who persished on the climb2018, Maddy Makes Games, Celeste, →OCLC, level/area: Forsaken City:
1 more example
An extended climb in Treasury yields risks exacerbating the pressures that have dogged a broad array of assets in recent months.2023 October 20, David Randall, Davide Barbuscia, “Relentless climb in Treasury yields may have further to run after surging to 5%”, in Reuters: