balaclava
noun
bal·a·cla·va
ˌba-lə-ˈklä-və 
-ˈkla-
-ˈkla-
: a knit cap for the head and neck
called also balaclava helmet
Examples of balaclava in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many skiers wear a low-profile beanie or balaclava to supplement helmet insulation on colder days.
—
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
In many Mexican towns where wars between drug cartels continue to wreak havoc, the sight of a young man at night dressed in black and donning a balaclava would be terrifying.
—Elda Cantú, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023
David Yurman Stax earrings in 18-karat white gold and diamonds; Margaret Howell lambswool ribbed balaclava, $105; Closed denim jacket, $520.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2023
This buttery-soft balaclava has a removal, hair-friendly skull cap.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Other stand-out pieces include a distressed balaclava that focuses on function and comfort, inspired by F1 driver helmets.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023
Encircling the car below were a dozen or so dancers, all of them clad in black with faces totally covered by something akin to a balaclava, but with eyes sealed for an alien-like look.
—Jhoni Jackson, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2023
The drone operator, who appears to be foreign, can also be seen in the reflection of the controller, but the operator is wearing a balaclava and is not identifiable.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Video footage released Thursday morning shows the 21-year-old white male, who appears to be wearing a black balaclava, walking in front of the unmarked car before approaching the driver's-side door.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 29 June 2023
See More
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 22 Nov. 2023
In many Mexican towns where wars between drug cartels continue to wreak havoc, the sight of a young man at night dressed in black and donning a balaclava would be terrifying.
—Elda Cantú, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2023
David Yurman Stax earrings in 18-karat white gold and diamonds; Margaret Howell lambswool ribbed balaclava, $105; Closed denim jacket, $520.
—Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2023
This buttery-soft balaclava has a removal, hair-friendly skull cap.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Other stand-out pieces include a distressed balaclava that focuses on function and comfort, inspired by F1 driver helmets.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 14 Nov. 2023
Encircling the car below were a dozen or so dancers, all of them clad in black with faces totally covered by something akin to a balaclava, but with eyes sealed for an alien-like look.
—Jhoni Jackson, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2023
The drone operator, who appears to be foreign, can also be seen in the reflection of the controller, but the operator is wearing a balaclava and is not identifiable.
—Victoria Butenko, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Video footage released Thursday morning shows the 21-year-old white male, who appears to be wearing a black balaclava, walking in front of the unmarked car before approaching the driver's-side door.
—Josh Wood, The Courier-Journal, 29 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'balaclava.' 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
Balaclava, Crimea, site of a British encampment during the Crimean War
First Known Use
1902, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near balaclava
Cite this Entry
“Balaclava.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balaclava. Accessed 9 Jan. 2024.
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