caber

noun

ca·​ber ˈkā-bər How to pronounce caber (audio) ˈkä- How to pronounce caber (audio)
: pole
especially : a young tree trunk used for tossing as a trial of strength in a Scottish sport

Examples of caber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web No longer would cabers be tossed (a caber is a 20-foot-long wooden pole). Victor Mather, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2024 The full games start Saturday with athletic contests, which include tossing the caber (imagine throwing a telephone pole) and the hammer throw; pipe and drum competitions; highland dancing; and sheepdog trials. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 June 2022 The Highland Games traditionally involve a selection of events including the tug-o-war and the caber toss, alongside Highland dance competitions, bagpiping, and track and field events. Amy MacKelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Sep. 2018 In one, an enlarged Hello Kitty Pez dispenser is turned into a weapon, hurled at a baddie in the manner of an old-fashioned Scottish caber toss. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 3 July 2018 The Scottish American Society of Central Florida serves up pipes, drums, caber tossing and whiskey at this popular January event. A.d. Thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, 21 June 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caber.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Scottish Gaelic cabar

First Known Use

1505, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of caber was in 1505

Dictionary Entries Near caber

Cite this Entry

“Caber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caber. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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