Crampons are metal plates with spikes underneath which mountain climbers fasten to the bottom of their boots, especially when there is snow or ice, in order to make climbing easier.
crampon in British English
(ˈkræmpən)
noun
1.
one of a pair of pivoted steel levers used to lift heavy objects; grappling iron
2. (often plural)
one of a pair of frames each with 10 or 12 metal spikes, strapped to boots for climbing or walking on ice or snow
verb
3.
to climb using crampons
Word origin
C15: from French, from Middle Dutch crampe hook; see cramp2
crampon in American English
(ˈkræmpən; ˈkræmˌpɑn)
noun
1.
either of a pair of iron hooks for raising heavy weights
2.
either of a pair of spiked iron plates fastened on shoes to prevent slipping
Also cramˈpoon
Word origin
Fr < Frank *krampo, iron hook; akin to cramp2
Examples of 'crampon' in a sentence
crampon
He had focused on the familiar rhythms of ice pick and crampon, and the slow lift and push with each step.
John Murray A FEW SHORT NOTES ON TROPICAL BUTTERFLIES (2003)