switchback
[swich-bak]
- a highway, as in a mountainous area, having many hairpin curves.
- Railroads. a zigzag track arrangement for climbing a steep grade.
- British. roller coaster.
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- (of a road, railroad track, etc.) to progress through a series of hairpin curves; zigzag: The road switchbacks up the mountain.
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Origin of switchback
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for switchback
Historical Examples of switchback
Alexander remarked as they rounded another turn on the switchback path.
The Lani PeopleJ. F. Bone
I felt as if once again I were strapped in the car on the switchback railway.
Marie TarnowskaAnnie Vivanti
The car on the switchback rushes, whirls, plungesfalls with me to destruction.
Marie TarnowskaAnnie Vivanti
But he was a strong horse, and on a trail up a switchback—do you know what a switchback is?
Through Glacier ParkMary Roberts Rinehart
Before the tunnel was built you crossed in the open air by a switchback line.
From Sea to SeaRudyard Kipling
switchback
- a mountain road, railway, or track which rises and falls sharply many times or a sharp rise and fall on such a road, railway, or track
- another word (esp Brit) for big dipper
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for switchback
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper