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

From there, we hiked up a short but steep switchback that ended on a dirt plateau.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 28, 2025

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 city also has limited wildfire equipment, and it’s nearly impossible to get a fire engine up some switchback roads to homes nestled high up mountains.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 29, 2023

For the actual step, Rakshith chose a jiglike routine known as a hook step, with lots of switchback movements for arms and legs.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2023

After a couple of minutes, Ernie and his gang reappeared at the switchback.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls