swayback

noun

sway·​back ˈswā-ˌbak How to pronounce swayback (audio)
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

Examples of swayback in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'swayback.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1821, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of swayback was in 1821

Dictionary Entries Near swayback

Cite this Entry

“Swayback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swayback. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

swayback

noun
sway·​back ˈswā-ˌbak, -ˈbak How to pronounce swayback (audio)
1
: an abnormally hollow condition or sagging of the back found especially in horses
also : a back so shaped
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 adjective
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