ice ax

American

noun

a mountaineering tool combining an adzlike blade and a pick on the head of a long wooden handle, with a spike on the end, used for cutting into ice and for support on icy surfaces.

Etymology

Origin of ice ax

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In addition to clothing that protects against the wind and cold, anyone attempting to climb steep terrain covered in snow and ice should have mountaineering boots, heavy metal crampons and an ice ax.

From Los Angeles Times

Climbers venturing along the Devil's Backbone trail are advised to carry crampons and ice axes.

From BBC

He remembers using ice axes to climb in the winter when he was only 15.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those who do climb are normally veterans equipped with crampons, ice axes, helmets, ropes and a thorough knowledge of the route, said Dave Miller, a professional mountain guide who has summited Whitney 80 times.

From Los Angeles Times

In the winter, only a small number of serious climbers attempt the expedition and are typically armed with crampons, ice axes and avalanche safety training, he explained.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023