noun
hairpin
HEH-uh-pihn
Hairpin (noun) means a thin U-shaped pin used to hold hair in place. Example: “She secured her bun with two hairpins.”
noun
1
A thin U-shaped pin used to hold hair in place.
"She secured her bun with two hairpins."
2
A very sharp bend in a road, shaped like a hairpin.
"The variety of angles in the course, from slow bends to hairpins, will both test your skill as a driver and allow you the opportunity to pass other carts."
— Bob Sehlinger, Grant Rafter (2009)
"The mountain road was full of tight hairpins."
How to use hairpin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA U-shaped hair fastener, or a sharp U-shaped bend in a road.
Common pairings
a hairpin bend
a hairpin turn
a hairpin curve
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Word forms
- Plural
- hairpins
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She secured her bun with two _____.
Etymology
From "hair" and "pin," describing a pin used to hold hair, first recorded in the late 1700s; the road sense followed in the early 1900s from the similar U-shape.
Class of 1700
hairpin joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “hairpin” mean?
The word “hairpin” means a thin U-shaped pin used to hold hair in place. In plain terms, a U-shaped hair fastener, or a sharp U-shaped bend in a road.
How do you pronounce “hairpin”?
“Hairpin” is pronounced HEH-uh-pihn (/ˈhɛɚ.pɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “hairpin” in a sentence?
Here is “hairpin” used in a sentence: “She secured her bun with two hairpins.”
What part of speech is “hairpin”?
“Hairpin” is a noun.
Where does the word “hairpin” come from?
The word “hairpin” dates back to around 1700. From "hair" and "pin," describing a pin used to hold hair, first recorded in the late 1700s; the road sense followed in the early 1900s from the similar U-shape.
How many meanings does “hairpin” have?
“Hairpin” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin U-shaped pin used to hold hair in place.
