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.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of hairpin

First recorded in 1770–80; hair + pin

Explanation

A hairpin is a small clip or pin that's used to secure hair in place. A bride's fancy braided hairdo usually requires many hairpins and plenty of hairspray to hold it. A bobby pin is one type of hairpin, a small bent piece of metal that pins strands of hair against the scalp. Most hairpins share this narrow, bent shape, and it's from this sharp angle that the term "hairpin turn" gets its name. A bend in a road that doubles back in a tight curve is a hairpin turn or a hairpin bend. This slang meaning dates from the early 20th century.

Example Sentences

After Leclerc claimed second, the Ferraris went side by side through the first-corner complex, Leclerc just holding on, before Hamilton reclaimed second into the hairpin the following lap.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

But he learned to master this new machine that could achieve insane speeds and execute hairpin turns while taking crystalline video.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

To reach Ghorjomi mosque, one of the biggest, we drove up hairpin mountain lanes, edged with blue hydrangeas, until we spotted the minaret.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Antonelli and Albon both had almost identical offs at the hairpin, locking up their outside front tyres and sliding into the gravel before joining the track.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2025

The hairpin crown was an optical illusion: it’s just hair, graying and cropped short.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood