Climbing vs. Scaling — What's the Difference?

Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object. It is done for locomotion, recreation and competition, and within trades that rely on ascension; such as emergency rescue and military operations.

One of the many small hard dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of fishes and reptiles and certain mammals, such as pangolins.

To move upward, especially by using the hands and feet

A similar part in other animals, such as one of the thin flat overlapping structures that cover the wings of butterflies and moths.

To move in a specified direction by using the hands and feet

A small, thin, often flattened plant structure, such as one of the modified leaves that cover a tree bud or one of the structures that bear the reproductive organs on the cones of a conifer.

To engage in the activity or sport of mountain climbing.

A dry thin flake of epidermis shed from the skin.

To rise slowly or steadily; ascend

A skin lesion or lesions marked by such flakes.

To slant or slope upward

A scale insect.

To grow in an upward direction, as some plants do, often by means of twining stems or tendrils.

A plant disease or infestation caused by scale insects.

To move upward on or mount, especially by using the hands and feet or the feet alone; ascend

A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.

To grow in an upward direction on or over

A flake of rust.

An act of climbing; an ascent

A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.

A place to be climbed

A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement

(uncountable) The sport of climbing, ascending a wall or a rock or another object using available holds, generally with the safety of a rope and belayer.

An instrument or device bearing such marks.

(countable) Climb; ascent.

A standard of measurement or judgment; a criterion.

Present participle of climb

A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that which it represents

That climbs; that grows upwards by gripping onto a surface.

A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.

An event that involves rising to a higher point (as in altitude or temperature or intensity etc.)

Proper proportion

A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank

A relative level or degree

A minimum wage fixed by contract

(Mathematics) A system of notation in which the values of numerical expressions are determined by their places relative to the chosen base of the system

(Music) An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.

An instrument or machine for weighing.

Often scales See balance.

Either of the pans, trays, or dishes of a balance.

To clear or strip of scale or scales

To remove in layers or scales

To cover with scales; encrust.

To throw or propel (a thin flat object) through the air or along a surface, such as water or ice.

(Dentistry) To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.

To cheat; swindle.

To ride on (a tram, for example) without paying the fare.

To come off in scales or layers; flake.

To become encrusted.

To climb up or over; ascend

To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale

To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts

To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).

To climb; ascend.

To rise in steps or stages.

To weigh with a scale.

To have a given weight, as determined by a scale

Present participle of scale

The act of one who scales or climbs.

The removing of the scales of fish.

The formation of a layer of scale on a surface.

The removal of a layer of scale from a surface.

The measurement of dimensions using a scale.

The process of adjusting raw measurement data to fit an expected distribution, such fitting examination results to a normal distribution.

The expression of the terms of an equation using powers of nondimensional quantities.

The process of adjusting sights to a ship's guns.

Adapted for removing scales, as from a fish; as, a scaling knife; adapted for removing scale, as from the interior of a steam boiler; as, a scaling hammer, bar, etc.

Serving as an aid in clambering; as, a scaling ladder, used in assaulting a fortified place.

The act of arranging in a graduated series

Act of measuring or arranging or adjusting according to a scale

Ascent by or as if by a ladder