switchback

Noun

A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
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.
A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.
A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.
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.

Verb

To take a zigzag course or path.

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

zigzag

Scrabble Score: 26

switchback: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
switchback: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
switchback: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 28

switchback: valid Words With Friends Word