chilkoot pass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Geographic, Specialized
Quick answer
What does “chilkoot pass” mean?
A high, historic mountain pass on the border between Alaska, USA, and British Columbia, Canada.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A high, historic mountain pass on the border between Alaska, USA, and British Columbia, Canada.
A symbol of the arduous Klondike Gold Rush journey of 1897-98, representing extreme physical challenge, frontier history, and a specific migratory route.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling of associated words may follow regional conventions (e.g., 'centre' vs 'center' in surrounding text).
Connotations
Similar connotations of historical hardship and adventure in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, primarily appearing in historical, geographic, or Alaskan/Canadian cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chilkoot pass” in a Sentence
[Location] + is/lies + near/to the north of + Chilkoot Pass[Historical Actor] + crossed/climbed/ascended + Chilkoot Pass + in [Year]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chilkoot pass” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Chilkoot Pass experience was transformative for the stampeders.
- They studied Chilkoot Pass history.
American English
- The Chilkoot Pass trail is maintained by the park service.
- He's a Chilkoot Pass expert.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Frequent in historical papers on the Klondike Gold Rush, migration studies, and North American frontier history.
Everyday
Used in travel guides, documentaries, and casual conversation about Alaskan/Canadian history or hiking.
Technical
Used in geology, topography, and historical geography as a specific locale.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chilkoot pass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chilkoot pass”
- Misspelling as 'Chilkoot Pass' (correct) vs. 'Chilkoot Pass' or 'Chilcoot Pass'.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'We crossed a chilkoot pass' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The pass itself forms part of the border between the US state of Alaska and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
Yes, it is a popular but challenging multi-day hike, managed as the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site (US) and Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site (Canada).
It was one of the few feasible, though extremely difficult, routes for stampeders to reach the Klondike goldfields in the late 1890s, bypassing steeper terrain elsewhere.
The name is of indigenous Tlingit origin, though its precise meaning is debated. It is the name of a nearby river and a Tlingit clan.
A high, historic mountain pass on the border between Alaska, USA, and British Columbia, Canada.
Chilkoot pass is usually historical, geographic, specialized in register.
Chilkoot pass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.kuːt pɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɪl.kuːt pæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine CHILLY boots (Chilkoot) PASSing over a treacherous mountain. Think: 'It was CHILLY, and they had to BOOT (foot) their way over the PASS.'
Conceptual Metaphor
CHALLENGE IS A MOUNTAIN PASS ("The first year of startup was our Chilkoot Pass.")
Practice
Quiz
What is the Chilkoot Pass primarily known as?