IPA: /bɪˈleɪ.ər/
KK: /bɪˈleɪər/
A person who secures a climber by holding the rope and managing the safety equipment during climbing.
The belayer kept a firm grip on the rope to ensure the climber's safety.
Belayer → The word originates from the verb 'belay', which comes from Middle English 'belaien', meaning to secure a rope. The suffix '-er' indicates a person who performs an action. Therefore, a belayer is a person who secures the rope for climbers.
Think of someone who 'secures' ('belay') a rope for climbers — that's what a belayer does.