switchback

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a…

   A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.

   • "Of course," said Harry, "there will have to be a branch track built, and a ‘switch-back’ up the hill."
   • Marriage was the switchback, the giant racer, the lobster teas, the guarantee that one would never be alone.
2. 2

   A railway track on which there are steep ascents and descents, a train moving partially…

   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. 3

   A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a…

   A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.

4. ›+ 3 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.

   2. 5

      A sharp bend in a path or road which causes a traveller to almost reverse their direction…

      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.

      • Already, we enter some airport bathrooms through a brief switchback of walls, so that we don’t ever grasp a door handle.
   3. 6

      To take a zigzag course or path.

The neighborhood

• neighbordogleg