switchback
1 of 2noun
switch·back ˈswich-ˌbak 
: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill
switchback adjective
switchback
2 of 2verb
switchbacked; switchbacking; switchbacks
intransitive verb
: to follow a zigzag course especially for ascent or descent
a trail that switchbacks
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 Auster’s obsessions with identity, language, ambiguity and defeat are revealed on the long, tailing walks through the metropolis that give his labyrinthine novels their switchback shape, and New York looms throughout like a modern-day Babel. Alice Mcdermott, New York Times, 22 June 2022 However, this ownership group is known for suddenly shifting directions like a Pacific Coast Highway switchback. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 Mount Olympus dominates the southern view from the new Parley's Pointe Trail as Mike Coleman of Millcreek crests a switchback on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 His face is rugged, with a nose that moves this way and that, like a switchback trail, to suggest his past. Steve Volk, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2022 Less than a quarter mile away, up a switchback fire road, the Temescal Canyon Trail begins. Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 It onto sweeping highway on- and off-ramps tenaciously at speed and is fun to toss around through quick switchback curves. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Completing his second switchback isn’t the only milestone for Barnes. Fox News, 30 Mar. 2022 Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Montoya, who lives along a dirt switchback 15 miles from here in Newcomb, N.M., began focusing on contact tracing in April. Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 See More
Noun
On the last day, climb back to the South Rim on the South Kaibab Trail and watch the park open up around you with each switchback. Outside Online, 10 Aug. 2022 Auster’s obsessions with identity, language, ambiguity and defeat are revealed on the long, tailing walks through the metropolis that give his labyrinthine novels their switchback shape, and New York looms throughout like a modern-day Babel. Alice Mcdermott, New York Times, 22 June 2022 However, this ownership group is known for suddenly shifting directions like a Pacific Coast Highway switchback. Christopher L. Gasper, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 Mount Olympus dominates the southern view from the new Parley's Pointe Trail as Mike Coleman of Millcreek crests a switchback on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022. Julie Jag, The Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Aug. 2022 His face is rugged, with a nose that moves this way and that, like a switchback trail, to suggest his past. Steve Volk, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2022 Less than a quarter mile away, up a switchback fire road, the Temescal Canyon Trail begins. Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2022 It onto sweeping highway on- and off-ramps tenaciously at speed and is fun to toss around through quick switchback curves. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Completing his second switchback isn’t the only milestone for Barnes. Fox News, 30 Mar. 2022 Verb
This is a land of chestnuts, almonds, olive oil and vineyards, as well as rocky outcrops and switchback roads. Tom Mullen, Forbes, 24 July 2022 Montoya, who lives along a dirt switchback 15 miles from here in Newcomb, N.M., began focusing on contact tracing in April. Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 Scientists have observed bursts of energetic particles never seen before on such a small scale, as well as switchback-like reversals in the out-flowing solar magnetic field that seem to whip up the solar wind. Fox News, 11 July 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1863, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1903, in the meaning defined above
switchbacks
noun
as in roads
a route that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill Synonyms & Similar Words
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- arterials
- thruways
- trails
- carriageways
- arteries
- byways
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