What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
Definition of switchback
: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill
switchback
adjectiveExplore M-W
Recent Examples of switchback from the Web
-
The less-than-one-mile trail down the east side of the bluff is a more gradual descent (or ascent), following switchbacks on the bluff with constant views of the river.
-
Oeser and the boys hiked for four or five hours, working their way higher via switchbacks to the pass that connected Paradise Valley with the Valley of the Ten Peaks.
-
The Curry Ridge Trail gains elevation from the campground, but switchbacks are long and lazy, and the kids had no trouble, save for bouts of thirst on a day pushing 80 degrees.
-
At the ice arena, fans snaked 500 or so strong through and outside the facility like switchbacks.
-
The coupe kisses 140 mph before the road ramps toward vertical again, pressing into the switchbacks and overhangs of the Mogollon Rim.
-
The hike to the summit is 2.1 miles, with numerous switchbacks and 1,200 feet of elevation gain.
-
This is the moment to mention that Lombard's eight switchback turns were created in the 1920s.
-
His personal story includes career switchbacks from WWII Navy recruit to chemical engineering and physics graduate to minister.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'switchback.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of switchback
1863
2
switchback
verb
switch·back
Definition of switchback
intransitive verb
: to follow a zigzag course especially for ascent or descent a trail that switchbacks
First Known Use of switchback
1903
SWITCHBACK Defined for English Language Learners
switchback
play
noun
Definition of switchback for English Language Learners
-
: a road, trail, or section of railroad tracks that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
Learn More about switchback
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up switchback? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!