roller-coaster

1 of 2

adjective

roll·​er-coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-

: marked by numerous ups and downs

an entertainer's roller-coaster career

roller coaster

2 of 2

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

1

: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll

2

: something resembling a roller coaster

especially : behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes

an emotional roller coaster

Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence

Noun

We went for a ride on the roller coaster.

The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s famous X2 roller-coaster ride is permanently closed, following a history of injuries, including some that led to deaths, park officials announced Tuesday. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

And while Tong wasn’t perfect Monday, his performance in the Mets’ 9-4 victory served as a microcosm of his roller-coaster season. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

Noun

Magic Mountain closed the X2 roller coaster permanently after a history of injuries. — Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

The roller coaster has been closed since July, when two women needed emergency brain surgery after taking the ride. — Victoria Craw, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for roller-coaster

• paternoster
• coaster
• poster
• roaster
• toaster

Kids Definition

roller coaster

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

: an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) with sharp curves and steep slopes on which cars roll