noun
piton
PEE-tahn/ˈpiːtɑːn/
A metal spike driven into rock to secure climbing equipment.
The steel piton anchors a carabiner and rope in the rock crack.
Etymology
French piton named a hook or eyebolt, with an older sense of “nail.” The climbing implement combines a spike driven into rock with an eye through which a rope can pass.
More examples
- She clips a carabiner through the piton's eye.
- His climbing rack holds several sizes of pitons.
- They remove each piton after the last climber passes.
Forms
piton · pitons
Similar words
- bolt
- A climbing bolt fits a drilled hole rather than a crack.
- spike
- A broader term for pointed fasteners, not specifically climbing equipment.