switch·back
ˈswich-ˌbak 
: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill
switchback
adjective
switchbacked; switchbacking; switchbacks
: to follow a zigzag course especially for ascent or descent
a trail that switchbacks
Examples of switchback in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2025
Walk the first part of the boardwalk, then peel off on the Observation Point Trail to the switchback a half-mile up the hill.
—Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Start at the peak’s eponymous trailhead and switchback straight up to the iconic summit.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for switchback
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The first leg of the journey swept us past Utah Lake and the quaint college town of Provo, before climbing into the scenic switchbacks of the Gilluly Loops and crossing Soldier Summit.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 31 July 2025
Walk the first part of the boardwalk, then peel off on the Observation Point Trail to the switchback a half-mile up the hill.
—Elisabeth Kwak-Hefferan, Outside Online, 3 June 2025
Verb
The first two miles are the hardest, composed of rocky stairs and switchbacks winding steeply up the side of the mountain.
—Eva Frederick, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025
Start at the peak’s eponymous trailhead and switchback straight up to the iconic summit.
—Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for switchback
Cite this Entry
“Switchback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/switchback. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share