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.
Video footage posted on social media by crowd members showed the nude man clambering up to stand on top of the entrance of Tiana's Place, a Creole and Cajun restaurant that pays homage to the character of Tiana Rogers from Disney's The Princess and the Frog film. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 The men then clambered down to the water before launching a raft from the northeast shore of the island. Louise McLoughlin, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025 Though hampered somewhat by Brexit, England saw sales shrink just 5 percent over 2023 and thus clambered back to second place in the market with $10.4 billion, while China experienced a 31 percent decline, to $8.4 billion. News Desk, Artforum, 8 Apr. 2025 An old woman and an old man, innocent as lambs, clambering over rubble with their piteous backpacks and bundles. David Bezmozgis, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Clamber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clamber. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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

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