switchback

1 of 2

noun

switch·​back ˈswich-ˌbak 

: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill

switchback adjective

switchback

2 of 2

verb

switchbacked; switchbacking; switchbacks

intransitive verb

: 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

Noun

After paying a three-euro (about $3) gate fee at the park’s entrance, visitors then face another 10-minute ride further into the pine and gorse-clad hills along a switchback road that reaches about 1,000 meters above sea level. —Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

The suspension bridge over Matthews Creek gives you a great view of Raven Cliff Falls and stable ground to pause and rest your legs between all the switchbacks and steep climbs. —Stacey Lastoe, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1863, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1903, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for switchback

• aback
• anzac
• attack
• backpack
• backtrack
• bareback
• blackjack
• brownback
• buyback
• callback
• cognac
• comeback

Kids Definition

switchback

noun

switch·​back

ˈswich-ˌbak

: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill