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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | climban |
1 to move up, down, or across something using your feet and hands, especially when this is difficult to do : 
Harry climbed the stairs.Boys were climbing trees along the river bank.
move up/down
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition, transitive]
Harry climbed the stairs.Boys were climbing trees along the river bank. climb up/down/along etc The wall is too high to climb over. They climbed up into the loft of the old barn.
The wall is too high to climb over.They climbed up into the loft of the old barn.2 to increase in number, amount, or level : The temperature has climbed steadily since this morning. Inflation climbed 2% last month.
temperature/prices etc
[intransitive]The temperature has climbed steadily since this morning.Inflation climbed 2% last month.3 to move into, out of, or through something slowly and awkwardly : The bus pulled in, and we climbed aboard.
with difficulty
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]The bus pulled in, and we climbed aboard. climb through/over/into etc John climbed through the window into the kitchen. I turned the TV on and climbed into bed.
John climbed through the window into the kitchen.I turned the TV on and climbed into bed.4 to move gradually to a higher position : The roller coaster climbs 91 feet and reaches speeds of 45 miles an hour.
path/sun/plane
[intransitive]The roller coaster climbs 91 feet and reaches speeds of 45 miles an hour. climb into/up etc The path climbs high into the hills. The plane climbed to 11,600 feet to try to get above the clouds.
The path climbs high into the hills.The plane climbed to 11,600 feet to try to get above the clouds.5 to climb mountains or rocks as a sport : Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. She loves to hike and climb. ➔ climbing
sport
[intransitive and transitive]DSOSir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest.She loves to hike and climb.7 to move higher in a list of teams, records etc as you become more popular or successful
in a list
[intransitive and transitive] climb to The song climbed to number 2 in the US charts.
The song climbed to number 2 in the US charts.8 to move to a better position in your social or professional life : Steve climbed rapidly in the sales division.
in your life/job
[intransitive and transitive]Steve climbed rapidly in the sales division.9 to become extremely anxious, annoyed, or impatient : If I don't get a drink soon, I'll be climbing the walls.
be climbing the walls
spokenIf I don't get a drink soon, I'll be climbing the walls.