# climbing

Pronunciation: say "KLY-ming" US /ˈklaɪ̯mɪŋ/, UK /ˈklaɪmɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle of climb. — present participle and gerund of climb
   - Simple: Present participle of climb. Use this form for an action happening now.
   - _She is climbing the ladder to fix the gutter._
   - _The team was climbing steadily as the weather worsened._

## Noun

2. The sport of ascending a wall, rock, or other object using available holds, usually protected by a rope and a belayer.
   - Simple: The sport of going up walls, rocks, or other surfaces using handholds, often with a rope for safety.
   - _Climbing demands both upper-body strength and steady footwork._
   - _Many beginners try climbing at an indoor gym before tackling real rock outdoors._
4. A single act of going up something, such as a hill or a flight of stairs; an ascent.
   - Simple: An act of going up something, like a hill or a steep slope.
   - _Each climbing of the bell tower meant two hundred narrow steps, so the ringer saved it for Sundays._
   - _The route included several short climbings between rest points._

## Adjective

3. Of a plant, growing upward by gripping onto a surface such as a wall, trellis, or another plant.
   - Simple: Describing a plant that grows upward by holding onto walls, fences, or other surfaces.
   - _A climbing plant can quickly cover a bare wall with green leaves._
   - _Ivy is a climbing species that grips brick using tiny rootlets._

## Origin

From Middle English clymbyng, equivalent to the verb "climb" combined with the suffix "-ing".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/climbing (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).