carabiner

/ˌkɛrəˈbinər/

Other forms: carabiners

A carabiner is a common piece of mountain climbing equipment, a metal clip that allows climbers to link together ropes and harnesses. If you're learning to rock climb, you'll most likely use a carabiner.

Carabiners are vital for climbers and mountaineers to keep various pieces of equipment connected to each other, and thus to keep themselves safe while they're climbing. A carabiner can take various forms and shapes, but it's usually a metal oval, with a spring-loaded clip that stays closed unless it's pushed open. Say the word carabiner with an emphasis on the bin syllable, but pronounce it like bean.

Definitions of carabiner

1. noun

   an oblong metal ring with a spring clip; used in mountaineering to attach a rope to a piton or to connect two ropes
   synonyms: karabiner, snap ring

   type of:

   fastener, fastening, fixing, holdfast

   restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place

   hoop, ring

   a rigid circular band of metal or wood or other material used for holding or fastening or hanging or pulling