I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: switch (II) + back (adverb)
1. : a zigzag road or trail in a mountainous region
roads which today's tourists climb in easy switchbacks — Ford Times
specifically : an arrangement of zigzag railroad tracks for surmounting the grade of a steep hill
2. or switchback railway Britain : roller coaster
II. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective
1. : of or relating to a switchback : attained by means of switchbacks
switchback curves
a long switchback descent — Stephen Bone
2. : resembling a switchback (as in shape or variety of levels)
accident … explains his hero's switchback career — Information Please Almanac
III. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ intransitive verb
: to ride on or move as if on a switchback : zigzag in ascending or descending
a trail that switchbacked through rock and pine — Dan Cushman
• switchbacker ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ noun -s