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

Guided by a qualified instructor, drivers will make steep descents, climb piles of logs and navigate tight hairpin turns. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

Overtaking remains difficult, but possible — watch the run from the hairpin to Turn 13. —Jenny Catlin, New York Times, 13 June 2025

Adjective

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

Its fluted drawer fronts, golden pulls, and hairpin legs give it an elevated look. —Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 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