| 1. | a small gravity railroad, esp. in an amusement park, having a train with open cars that moves along a high, sharply winding trestle built with steep inclines that produce sudden, speedy plunges for thrill-seeking passengers. |
| 2. | a car or train of cars for such a railroad. |
| 3. | any phenomenon, period, or experience of persistent or violent ups and downs, as one fluctuating between prosperity and recession or elation and despair. |
[roh-ler-koh-ster, roh-li-] 
| 1. | to go up and down like a roller coaster; rise and fall: a narrow road roller-coastering around the mountain; a light boat roller-coastering over the waves. |
| 2. | to experience a period of prosperity, happiness, security, or the like, followed by a contrasting period of economic depression, despair, or the like: The economy was roller-coastering throughout most of the decade. |
| 3. | of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a roller coaster. |
| 4. | resembling the progress of a ride on a roller coaster in sudden extreme changeableness. |
| roller coaster n.
|
roller coaster
elevated railway with steep inclines and descents that carries a train of passengers through sharp curves and sudden changes of speed and direction for a brief thrill ride. Found mostly in amusement parks as a continuous loop, it is a popular leisure activity
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