Definition of "hairpin" []

• A thin cylindrical strip of metal or other material bent in the shape of a long U, used to secure a hairdo or headdress. (noun)
• Something shaped like a hairpin, especially a sharp turn in a road. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The volatility seen in the past two trading days recalls the hairpin turns seen during the worst days of the credit crisis in September."
• "Rally newcomer and Twickenham resident Young commented, "Tony did really well, especially on the second stage when I called a hairpin right when it was actually a hairpin left."
• ""It's stating the obvious to say that we need action," said engineer Peter Broadley, caught in the two-hour peak-time crawl along a 14-mile hairpin, which is the quickest north-south car link."