roller-coaster

adjective

roll·er-coast·er | \ ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər

, ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-\

Definition of roller-coaster

(Entry 1 of 2)

: marked by numerous ups and downs an entertainer's roller-coaster career

roller coaster

noun

roll·er coast·er | \ ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər

, ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-\

Definition of roller coaster (Entry 2 of 2)

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: Noun

Some of the activities correlated with English Language Arts standards, like the roller coaster activity where campers presented on their coaster for adults and other campers. — Catalina Righter, baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll, "Campers learn innovation and invention with a little help from a farm tractor," 26 July 2019 Sprocket Rockets is your kids' opportunity to ride their first roller coaster. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Six Flags Great America isn't just for big kids, even during Fright Fest," 2 July 2019 January 2019: SeaWorld San Diego announces plans to build its tallest roller coaster yet – a 153-foot Mako dive coaster slated for 2020. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "SeaWorld: a decade of turbulence and triumphs," 22 June 2019 Magic Mountain is located about 40 miles north of Los Angeles; its twisting roller coasters are a familiar sight to motorists on Interstate 5. — Washington Post, "Brush fire sets off evacuation at California amusement park," 9 June 2019 An Ohio theme park’s opening day didn’t go as planned when its brand new roller coaster had to be shut down after two cars collided. — Michelle Gant, Fox News, "'World's fastest' hybrid roller coaster in Ohio shuts down on opening day after two cars collide," 2 Oct. 2018 And with that, your roller coaster has slowed to a stop. — Albert Breer, SI.com, "What Drama? It’s Business as Usual for Brady and the Patriots," 7 June 2018 Silver Dollar City, the theme park in Branson, Mo., made history this year by launching their Time Traveler coaster, the world’s fastest, steepest, and tallest complete-circuit spinning roller coaster. — Arthur Levine, USA TODAY, "Silver Dollar City theme park offers old-fashioned fun and thrills," 25 Apr. 2018 Their season-long roller coaster carried them to a No. — Mike Tierney, New York Times, "Most Upsets Ever? Not Quite, but Underdogs Crowd the Final 16," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roller-coaster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.