Dictionary
1switchback
noun switch·back \ˈswich-ˌbak\
: a road, trail, or section of railroad tracks that has many sharp turns for climbing a steep hill
Full Definition of SWITCHBACK
: a zigzag road, trail, or section of railroad tracks for climbing a steep hill
— switchback adjective
See switchback defined for English-language learners
See switchback defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of SWITCHBACK
1863
Rhymes with SWITCHBACK
aback, ack-ack, alack, amtrac, Anzac, arrack, attack, backpack, backtrack, Balzac, bareback, blackjack, blowback, bootblack, bootjack, brushback, bushwhack, buyback, callback, calpac, carjack, champac, cheapjack, coatrack, come back, comeback, cookshack, crackback, crookback, cut back, cutback, Dayak, dieback, Dirac, draw back, drawback, fall back, fallback, fastback, fast-track, fatback, feedback, finback, fireback, flapjack, flashback, fullback, gimcrack, giveback, graywacke, greenback, gripsack, guaiac, halfback, half-track, hardback, hardhack, hardtack, hatchback, hayrack, haystack, hijack, hogback, hold back, holdback, hopsack, horseback, humpback, hunchback, Iraq, jam-pack, jet-black, Kanak, Karnak, kayak, Kazak, kickback, knapsack, knickknack, kulak, kyack, laid-back, lampblack, leaseback, linac, macaque, man jack, manpack, Micmac, mossback, muntjac, Muzak, notchback, offtrack, one-track, outback, packsack, payback, pitch-black, play back, playback, plow back, plowback, Prozac, pullback, quillback, racetrack, ransack, rickrack, roll back, rollback, roorback, rucksack, runback, sad sack, scatback, serac, set back, setback, shellac, shellback, shoeblack, shoepac, sidetrack, six-pack, skewback, skipjack, skyjack, slapjack, slotback, Slovak, smokejack, smokestack, snap back, snapback, snowpack, softback, sumac, swayback, sweepback, swept-back, tailback, tarmac, thornback, throw back, throwback, thumbtack, ticktack, tieback, tie tack, tombac, touchback, tow sack, trictrac, tripack, unpack, wetback, whaleback, wingback, wisecrack, wolf pack, woolpack, woolsack, yashmak, zwieback
2switchback
intransitive verb
Definition of SWITCHBACK
: to follow a zigzag course especially for ascent or descent <a trail that switchbacks>
First Known Use of SWITCHBACK
1903
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: switchbladePrevious Word in the Dictionary: switch angleAll Words Near: switchback
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up switchback? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).