switchback

Meaning

Noun

1. (attributive, figuratively, often) A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
2. (attributive, figuratively, often) A railway track on which there are steep ascents and descents, a train moving partially or fully by the force of gravity using the momentum generated when descending to travel up an ascending part of the track; especially (British, dated), such a track built for fun rides at an amusement park; a type of rollercoaster.
3. (attributive, broadly, figuratively, often) A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.
4. (British, attributive, broadly, figuratively, often) A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.
5. (Canada, US, attributive, broadly, figuratively, often) A sharp bend in a path or road which causes a traveller to almost reverse their direction of travel, especially one of a series of such bends on an incline; a hairpin bend; also a path or road having such a series of bends.

Verb

To take a zigzag course or path.

Synonyms

bend

corner

curve

roller coaster

🎢

turns

twisty road

Translations

camino en zigzag

Achterbahn

Berg-und-Tal-Bahn

Serpentine

Bahnstrecke ohne Wendeschleife

estrada íngreme em ziguezague

montaña rusa

dönemeç

الطّريق المتعرّج

viraj

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈswɪt͡ʃbæk/

Etymology

The noun is derived from switch (“to turn (a train) from one railway track to another using a switch”, verb) + back (“so as to reverse direction and return”, adverb).
The verb is derived from the noun.