1 ice ax | Definition of ice ax

ice ax

noun

Definition of ice ax

: a combination pick and adze with a spiked handle that is used in mountain climbing

Illustration of ice ax

Illustration of ice ax

Examples of ice ax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her social-media presence bears this out: there’s Lulu doing a handstand on a beach, and hoisting an ice ax in the air, and pumping out push-ups, and whitewater kayaking, and diving off a rock into a blue pool of water. Rachel Monroe, Outside Online, "Last winter, Moroccan officials found two hikers dead on the trail to the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains. The international investigation that followed revealed the fragility of the adventure travel economy, as well as what happens when a small tourist hub is suddenly made strange by violence.," 29 July 2019 On Everest, the more experienced Sherpas showed Kanchha how to walk with crampons and use an ice ax. Freddie Wilkinson, National Geographic, "He’s the last surviving member of the first expedition to summit Everest," 17 June 2019 Boots, crampons and an ice ax rent for $35 for three days. Tom Stienstra, SFChronicle.com, "Everything you need to know to climb Mount Shasta ahead of a sensational summer season," 7 June 2019 Her recreational ice-climbing gear includes Grivel Tech Machine ice axes ($380 a pair), Black Diamond Cyborg crampons ($150), Salomon boots ($40 on eBay). Jen Murphy, WSJ, "An Elite Ice Climber’s Year-Round Workout," 23 Feb. 2019 As in, carrying 60 meters of rope, ice axes, and a base camp, including the kitchen, into thin alpine air. Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "PM Approved: The Backpack Built to Carry the Kitchen Sink," 29 June 2018 The climb from the south is not considered technical, but the Forest Service recommends use of crampons and an ice ax. Hal Bernton, The Seattle Times, "Oregon man dies on Mount Adams," 29 May 2018 That same day, a Saturday, two climbers reported finding two ice axes and what appeared to be a blood trail leading to a body between 1,500 to 2,000 feet below the axes. Teri Figueroa, sandiegouniontribune.com, "San Diego man dies in fall off cliff at Sequioa National Park," 15 May 2018 Most crests are not quite as fascinating as the one for Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealander who climbed Mount Everest - a big blue Kiwi bird holding an ice ax - but there are plenty of colorful and quirky tributes. Nancy Nathan, chicagotribune.com, "At Windsor Castle, a look at Harry and Meghan's (relatively) low-key wedding site," 16 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ice ax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ice ax

circa 1800, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for ice ax

ice ax

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ice ax

: a cutting tool that is used in mountain climbing