switchback

American  

[swich-bak] / ˈswɪtʃˌbæk /

noun

1. a highway, as in a mountainous area, having many hairpin curves.

2. Railroads. a zigzag track arrangement for climbing a steep grade.

3. British. roller coaster.

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verb (used without object)

1. (of a road, railroad track, etc.) to progress through a series of hairpin curves; zigzag.

   The road switchbacks up the mountain.

switchback British  

/ ˈswɪtʃˌbæk /

noun

1. 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

2. another word (esp Brit) for big dipper

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Etymology

Origin of switchback

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; switch + back ²

Example Sentences

As we hiked the short distance from Pacific Coast Highway on the rocky switchback trail, she caught glimpses of the sculpted sea stacks rising 50 meters from the sand and shallow waters.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2026

The start of the hike features most of the elevation gain, as you switchback through trees, but the undulating grade of this trail is manageable.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

They found that the DNA formed switchback loops as it was pushed into the capsid, an important finding as it is similar to how DNA is organized in eukaryotic cells.

From Science Daily • Mar. 7, 2024

The chaotic manner of victory was in keeping with a switchback contest the visitors had initially led through Danilo's fabulous control and shot from the edge of the area after just three minutes.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2024

But after I came around the corner of the final switchback, before the trail flattened out through the forest, I saw Annie ahead of me.

From "Winger" by Andrew Smith