cairn
n.n. a pile of stones that people put up to mark a place. You often see these on hills or mountains to help hikers find their way.
n. a pile of stones, typically used as a boundary marker, a memorial, or a navigational aid. Often found in mountainous regions to indicate a safe path or a specific location.
The hikers followed the cairn to the top of the hill.
After the storm, the climbers rebuilt the cairn to ensure that future visitors could find the trail.
The ancient cairn served as both a warning to other travelers and a testament to the community's history of navigating the treacherous mountain passes.
From Scots cairn, from Scottish Gaelic càrn, from Old Irish carn, from Proto-Celtic karnos, from Proto-Indo-European ḱerh₂- (“horn”). Compare Welsh carn, Cornish carn. Doublet of carn and horn.