clamber

verb

clambered; clambering ˈklam-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce clamber (audio) ˈklam-riŋ How to pronounce clamber (audio)
ˈkla-mər-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to climb awkwardly or with effort especially by using both the hands and the feet
We clambered over the rocks.
They clambered up the hill.
clamberer
ˈklam-bər-ər How to pronounce clamber (audio)
ˈkla-mər-ər
noun

Examples of clamber in a Sentence

The children clambered over the rocks. We clambered up the steep hill.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Still, whenever a person managed to get near her, Bonnie would clamber away into the nearby brush. Kelli Bender, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 Some clambered over the mountains of rubble, still smoking in some places, greedily edging one another out to get the best shots. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2024 Children clamber across playground equipment or, in the summer months, cool off in the spray shower. Christina Ray Stanton, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024 Cowan tosses his first fox of the day into the bed of Moyer’s brand-new Lone Star Can-Am, and the guys clamber back in. Britta Lokting, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for clamber 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clambren; akin to Old English climban to climb

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of clamber was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near clamber

Cite this Entry

“Clamber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamber. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

clamber

verb
clam·​ber ˈklam-bər How to pronounce clamber (audio)
clambered; clambering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce clamber (audio)
: to climb awkwardly

More from Merriam-Webster on clamber

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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