# switchback

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈswɪt͡ʃbæk/ · frequency rank #78,177

## Definitions
1. A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
2. 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 (British, dated), such a track built for fun rides at an amusement park; a type of rollercoaster.
3. A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.
4. A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.
5. 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.

## Etymology
The 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).
The verb is derived from the noun.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/switchback