# hairpin

/hˈeəpɪn/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hairpin
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a small, curved piece of metal or plastic used to hold your hair in place. It can also mean a very sharp turn in a road or a sudden change in a musical melody.

For teachers: a small, curved fastener used to secure hair; by extension, a sharp bend in a road or a sudden change in musical pitch. Often used in the plural to describe a series of turns.

## Examples

- She used a silver hairpin to keep her ponytail in place.
- The narrow mountain road features a series of hairpins that require careful driving to navigate.
- The composer's use of a sudden hairpin in the violin section created a dramatic contrast that silenced the entire audience for a moment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.