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Definition of hairpin

hairpin

/ˈhɛr.pɪn/
hair · pin
Plural:hairpins
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hairpin Lexical Profile

hairpin Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A thin, U-shaped piece of metal, wire, or plastic used to fasten and hold hair in place.

Example

"She secured her elegant updo for the gala with several discreet black hairpins."

2

A very sharp, U-shaped curve or bend in a road or path, often found in mountainous terrain.

Example

"The mountain pass was treacherous, forcing drivers to navigate steep inclines and blind hairpins at low speeds."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for hairpin
Antonyms
View all antonyms for hairpin

• Nearby Words

hairline
hairnet
hairpiece
hairpin
hairsbreadth
hairsplitter
hairsplitting

Word Origin & Etymology

Late 18th century: compound of 'hair' and 'pin', reflecting its primary function as a grooming accessory. The extension of the word to describe sharp, U-shaped road bends dates to the early 20th century, inspired by the object's distinctive folded shape.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Hairpin. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/hairpin
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