cliff

noun

: a very steep, vertical, or overhanging face of rock, earth, or ice : precipice
cliffy adjective

Examples of cliff in a Sentence

Standing at the edge of the cliff, we watched the waves crash on the shore far below. rock climbers scaling steep cliffs
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Researchers uncovered the tomb at the mountain, at the base of a high desert cliff where strong winds carry gusts of sand. Alan Yuhas, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 The burial chamber was uncovered at the base of a desert cliff almost 23 feet beneath Abydos, one of Egypt’s oldest cities about 300 miles south of Cairo and roughly six miles from the Nile River. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Mar. 2025 Using that information, crews from a specialty contractor, Neil’s Controlled Blasting, based in Placer County, used an aerial lift to move workers up to 130 feet high on the sheer cliffs Friday and Saturday. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025 The other hiker, who was not hurt, was stuck above because of the cliff, rescuers said. Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cliff

Word History

Etymology

Middle English clif, from Old English; akin to Old High German klep cliff, Old Norse klif

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cliff was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cliff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cliff. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

cliff

noun
: a high steep surface of rock, earth, or ice

More from Merriam-Webster on cliff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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