hairpin

1 of 2

noun

hair·​pin ˈher-ˌpin 

1

: a pin to hold the hair in place

specifically : a long U-shaped pin

2

: something shaped like a hairpin

specifically : a sharp U-shaped turn in a road

hairpin

2 of 2

adjective

: having the shape of a hairpin

a hairpin turn

also : having hairpin turns

a steep hairpin road

Examples of hairpin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After the slow hairpin of La Source—which McLaren has finally built a car able to cope with—there’s a long run to Les Coombes, with the challenge of Eau Rouge and Raidillon on the way. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 28 July 2025

Particularly: Low-degree turns on the trail, when drivers are off-road and working with limited real estate at a hairpin. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 10 July 2025

Adjective

Preliminary plans show four sections of track for beginners up to advanced bikers, complete with jumps, hairpin turns and more. —Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 11 Feb. 2025

Brody plays these hairpin temperamental turns for maximum comedic effect in what’s probably the funniest of his Anderson performances. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1887, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hairpin

noun

hair·​pin

-ˌpin

1

: a U-shaped pin to hold the hair in place

2

: something shaped like a hairpin

especially : an extremely sharp turn in a road

hairpin adjective

Medical Definition

hairpin

noun

hair·​pin ˈha(ə)r-ˌpin, ˈhe(ə)r- 

variants also hairpin loop

: a region in single-stranded RNA or DNA that is double-stranded due to pairing between purine and pyrimidine bases in adjacent sequences of the RNA or DNA that are complementary and inverted