swayback

1 of 2

noun

sway·​back ˈswā-ˌbak 

1

: an abnormally hollow condition or sagging of the back found especially in horses

also : a sagging back

2

: abnormally exaggerated forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine : lordosis sense 2

Rarely is swayback a sign of anything serious. If you're in doubt, compare the posture of your child with that of other toddlers.

—Parenting

swaybacked

2 of 2

adjective

sway·​backed ˈswā-ˌbakt 

variants or less commonly swayback

ˈswā-ˌbak 

1

: having an abnormally hollow or sagging back

On occasion, the cow shared the pasture with a swaybacked horse.

—Wright Morris

2

: having or marked by abnormal forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine

… she stood upright, slightly swaybacked, affecting the bored look of a woman waiting for a bus.

—Austin Murphy

swaybacked posture

3

: marked by a sagging appearance : having or being a part with a concave center

Behind the house was a collection of sheds and swaybacked barns …

—Alec Wilkinson

Examples of swayback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In football years, a 15th-century knight in dull armor riding an old swayback nag. —Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2026

Sarge is a swayback appaloosa, retired from ranch work who was headed to slaughter. —Denise Coffey, Courant Community, 19 Sep. 2017

While the swayback roofline looked like there might be foundation problems, Scott consulted several engineers only to learn there was no problem — just an eccentric design element Dilbeck often used to instantly age his homes. —By Gaile Robinson photos By Paul Moseley, star-telegram, 2 Aug. 2017

Adjective

The earth moved, and a swaybacked giant jogged into view. —The New York Times, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swayback

• aback
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback
• cutback

Medical Definition

swayback

noun

sway·​back ˈswā-ˌbak, -ˈbak 

1

: an abnormally hollow condition or sagging of the back found especially in horses

also : a back so shaped

2

: lordosis sense 2

3

: a copper-deficiency disease of young or newborn lambs that is marked by demyelination of the brain resulting in weakness, staggering gait, and collapse and is almost universally fatal but is readily preventable by copper supplementation of the diet of the pregnant ewe

swaybacked

-ˌbakt 

adjective