I. ˈklīm verb
( climbed -md ; or dialect clim ˈklim ; or now dialect clomb ˈklōm ; or chiefly Midland clum ˈkləm ; climbed or dialect clim or now dialect clomb or chiefly Midland clum ; climbing ; climbs )
Etymology: Middle English climben, from Old English climban; akin to Old High German klimban, Old Norse klembra to clamber, Old English clamm bond, fetter — more at clam
intransitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to rise or go upward with gradual or continuous motion
watching the smoke climb
(2) : to gain altitude
the airplane climbed suddenly
b. : to increase gradually
stock-market prices climbing a little each day
c. : to slope upward : form an upward or rising grade : serve as way or means of going up or higher
the road climbs steadily until … you are high up on the mountain — Norman Cousins
a staircase, which climbed, steep and slender, to the upper story — Ellen Glasgow
d. : to become situated on a rising grade
pleasant middle-class houses climbing up the hill — R.M.Lovett
2.
a. : to go upwards, rise, or raise oneself especially by grasping or clutching with the hands
climbed up a steep hill
climb aboard a car
climbed upon her father's knee
b. of a plant : to ascend in growth by twining about or scrambling over a support or by the attachment thereto of tendrils or aerial roots
3. : to rise or seek to rise in dignity, rank, or eminence : come to rate more highly or occupy a higher state
from this humble beginning he climbed to a position at the very top — J.M.England
4. : to go about or down usually by grasping, clinging, or holding with the hands to facilitate progress or ensure safety
climb down a ladder
climbing around in a haymow
climb out on a limb
5. : to get into or out of clothing or an article of dress typically with some haste or effort
the firemen climbed into their clothes
the diver climbed out of his heavy suit
transitive verb
1.
a. : to go or proceed upwards upon or along, to the top of, or over : get to the top of or go over typically with some effort
climb a hill
energy spent climbing stairs
the car climbed the long hill
b. : to reach by climbing
climb the summit of a hill
2. : to draw or pull oneself up, over, or to the top of by using hands and feet
climb a ladder
children climbing the tree
3. : to ascend through or to the higher parts of
the sun climbing the eastern sky
4. : to grow up or creep up to the top of typically by twisting, twining, or cleaving
ivy climbing the western wall
5. : to occupy or be situated on the ascending slope of
the battlemented town … climbs a high hill crowned by the cathedral — Ellery Sedgwick
6. : to cause (an aircraft) to climb
Synonyms: see ascend
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a place (as a steep incline) where climbing is necessary to progress ; especially : a trail up a mountain designed or mapped out for mountain climbers
the approach to the Westmore mountain climb — American Guide Series: Vermont
the commandos … began to rename many of the climbs — R.W.Clark
2. : the act or an instance of climbing : ascent by climbing
the slow climb up the steep hills — E.H.Collis
farm prices showed an upward climb
an airplane with a rapid rate of climb
its program includes several mountain climbs — Bulletin of Bates College