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.

---

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

---

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 early weeks have been a switchback, brilliant against Liverpool and Arsenal, terrible against Brentford and Manchester City.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2022

Mark grabbed the railing at each switchback, throwing himself forward and onto the next set.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner