balaclava

UK: /ˌbæləˈklɑːvə/ US: (bal′ə klä′və)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bal•a•cla•va  (bal′ə klä′və), n. 

1. Clothing a close-fitting, knitted cap that covers the head, neck, and tops of the shoulders, worn esp. by mountain climbers, soldiers, skiers, etc. Also called balacla′va hel′met. 

• named after Balaklava 1880–85

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

Bal•a•kla•va  (bal′ə klä′və; Russ. bə lu klä′və), n. 

1. Place Names a seaport in S Crimea, in the S Ukraine, on the Black Sea: scene of English cavalry charge against Russians (1854), celebrated in Tennyson's poem
   Charge of the Light Brigade.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Balaclava, Balaclava helmet / ˌbæləˈklɑːvə/ noun

1. (often not capitals) a close-fitting woollen hood that covers the ears and neck, as originally worn by soldiers in the Crimean War

Etymology: 19th Century: named after Balaklava

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Balaklava, Balaclava / ˌbæləˈklɑːvə bəlaˈklavə/ noun

1. a small port in S Crimea: scene of an inconclusive battle (1854), which included the charge of the Light Brigade, during the Crimean War