Feature Of A Winding Road Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: May 08, 2025

Searching for the answer to the "Feature of a winding road" clue from the May 08, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword? We've identified the perfect 5-letter solution you're seeking. If you prefer a more interactive solving approach, we've designed engaging features to enhance your crossword experience. You can discover the answer gradually with our letter-by-letter reveal tool, or explore our thoughtfully prepared hints—whether it's a helpful word pattern, a similar clue sharing the same answer, or an informative explanation to guide your thinking. We've also made it easy to navigate between related clues from the same puzzle. Ready to tackle this road-themed crossword challenge? Let's find the solution together!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The May 08, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Feature of a winding road" with the answer CURVE. This clue asks solvers to identify what characteristically defines a road that winds rather than runs straight. A winding road is marked by its curves and bends as it follows the natural landscape, navigates around obstacles, or purposefully creates a more scenic or gradual route. The answer CURVE precisely captures this defining characteristic—the bends and turns that make a road "winding" rather than straight.

Road Engineering and Geographic Context

In road engineering and design, curves are carefully calculated elements that serve multiple purposes. Road curves are typically classified as horizontal (changing the direction of travel along a horizontal plane) or vertical (changing the elevation of the roadway). The winding roads referred to in the crossword clue primarily feature horizontal curves. Engineers design curves based on several factors including the expected speed of traffic, the local topography, natural obstacles like mountains or bodies of water, property boundaries, and safety considerations. A properly designed curve allows vehicles to navigate turns safely by accommodating the physical forces at play, particularly centrifugal force which pushes a vehicle outward when turning. The most common curve types in road design include: - Circular curves: The simplest form, maintaining a constant radius throughout the turn - Spiral or clothoid curves: These gradually change radius, providing a smooth transition between straight sections and circular curves - Compound curves: A series of circular curves with different radii connected together - Reverse curves: Where the road curves in one direction and then immediately in the opposite direction, forming an S-shape Winding roads are particularly prevalent in mountainous or hilly terrain, where they often follow contour lines to maintain a manageable gradient for vehicles. The famous Highway 1 along California's Big Sur coastline, the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps, and Lombard Street in San Francisco are celebrated examples of dramatically winding roads with curves that accommodate challenging terrain while creating iconic driving experiences. Beyond practical considerations, curves can enhance the aesthetic experience of a road, revealing dramatic views as drivers navigate each turn, and creating a more engaging driving experience. This is why many scenic routes are intentionally designed with curves rather than straight lines, even when the topography might permit a more direct path.

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When approaching a clue like "Feature of a winding road" in the NYT Mini Crossword, it's helpful to first identify the category of answer being sought. This clue is asking for a characteristic or component of a specific type of road, narrowing the possible answers considerably. The adjective "winding" is the key to this clue. A winding road, by definition, is not straight but rather follows a path with turns and bends. This immediately suggests answers like CURVE, BEND, or TURN. Given the five-letter constraint of the answer, CURVE fits perfectly while alternatives like TURNS (plural) or BENDS (plural) would also fit the letter count but are less elegant as answers. In crosswords, straightforward descriptive clues like this one typically yield relatively direct answers. The relationship between "winding road" and CURVE is clear and unambiguous, making it a fair clue for solvers of all levels. There's no wordplay or double meaning involved, just a simple identification of a defining characteristic. The brevity of Mini Crossword clues often means that the most obvious answer is the correct one. While there could be other features of winding roads (like SIGNS warning of curves or a LIMIT on speed), CURVE most directly answers the specific feature that makes a road "winding." When working through a Mini Crossword, remember that crossing letters from other answers can help confirm your solution. If you've solved some of the intersecting Down clues, the revealed letters can either reinforce your confidence in CURVE as the answer or prompt you to reconsider if the letters don't match.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (May 08, 2025)

ACROSS

• 1. Adjective that rhymes with "sheesh" or "pitch," depending on who you ask
• 6. Colossal ___, marine animal filmed in its natural habitat for the first time in 2025
• 7. Like some caterpillars
• 8. Some spouses
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DOWN

• 1. Letters meaning "Don't click this in public!"
• 2. "You can take this job and shove it!"
• 3. Feature of a winding road
• 4. Added to the payroll
• 5. Dreyer's ice cream, on the East Coast