hairpin

American  

[hair-pin] / ˈhɛərˌpɪn /

noun

1. a slender U -shaped piece of wire, shell, etc., used by women to fasten up the hair or hold a headdress.

---

adjective

1. (of a road, curve in a road, etc.) sharply curved back, as in a U shape.

   a hairpin turn.

hairpin British  

/ ˈhɛəˌpɪn /

noun

1. a thin double-pronged pin used by women to fasten the hair

2. (modifier) (esp of a bend in a road) curving very sharply

---

Etymology

Origin of hairpin

First recorded in 1770–80; hair + pin

Example Sentences

“Besides, there are two of us and one of him, Penelope,” she added, tugging a hairpin from her bun.

From Literature

Seeing the hairpin turns up close revealed why the Grand Prix is one of the world’s most adrenaline-pumping races.

From The Wall Street Journal

Abu Dhabi also has some long corners - especially the hairpin on to the first long straight and the long Turn Nine at the end of the second main straight.

From BBC

Quick as a wink, she removed a hairpin and used it to secure the broken latch.

From Literature

I would especially worry about him during rainstorms, when the hairpin turns of the Appalachians became slick with water, and during the winter, when the roads could turn treacherous.

From Literature