switchback
A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a…A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
Meaning
5 senses(attributive, figuratively, often)A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
серпанти́нserpantýn
(attributive, figuratively, often)A railway track on which there are steep ascents and descents, a train moving partially or fully by the force of gravity using the momentum generated when descending to travel up an ascending part of the track; especially (UK, dated), such a track built for fun rides at an amusement park; a type of rollercoaster.
(attributive, broadly, figuratively, often)A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.
(UK, attributive, broadly, figuratively, often)A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.
(Canada, US, attributive, broadly, figuratively, often)A sharp bend in a path or road which causes a traveller to almost reverse their direction of travel, especially one of a series of such bends on an incline; a hairpin bend; also a path or road having such a series of bends.
Translations
3 languagesBy meaning 1
Origin
The noun is derived from switch (“to turn (a train) from one railway track to another usinThe noun is derived from switch (“to turn (a train) from one railway track to another using a switch”, verb) + back (“so as to reverse direction and return”, adverb).
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Forms
plural: switchbacks| Singular | switchback |
|---|---|
| Plural | switchbacks |
regular