noun A1 Beginner Very common

bridge

brihj

Bridge (noun) means a structure built to carry a road, railway, or path across a river, valley, or other obstacle. Example: “They stopped halfway across the bridge to watch the river below.”

noun

A structure built to carry a road, railway, or path across a river, valley, or other obstacle.

"They stopped halfway across the bridge to watch the river below."

"A new bridge was built to ease traffic into the city."

The bony or cartilaginous ridge along the top of the nose.

"His glasses kept sliding down the bridge of his nose."

A raised platform on a ship from which the captain and crew control and observe the vessel.

"The captain gave the order from the bridge as the storm closed in."

A section of a song that connects two other parts, often building tension before a chorus returns.

"The bridge slows the tempo right before the final chorus kicks back in."

A trick-taking card game for four players in two partnerships.

"They play bridge with the same three friends every Thursday night."

A dental appliance that fills a gap left by missing teeth, anchored to the teeth on either side.

"The dentist fitted him with a bridge after he lost two molars."

verb

To build a bridge over something, or to connect two things that would otherwise be separate.

"The new policy is meant to bridge the gap between the two departments."

"A short loan helped bridge the finances until the invoice was paid."

How to Use Bridge

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething (a structure, feature, or connection) that crosses a gap and joins two things together.

Common mistake

As a verb, "bridge" usually needs an object ("bridge the gap"), not used alone the way "connect" sometimes is.

Common pairings

cross a bridge burn bridges bridge the gap suspension bridge

Word Forms

bridged past tense, bridges plural, bridges singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

They stopped halfway across the _____ to watch the river below.

Etymology

From Old English brycg, itself from a much older Germanic root meaning a wooden walkway or plank crossing — related to German Brücke and Dutch brug.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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overpass viaduct flyover span crossing footbridge

Related Words

while period range flight distance length era ford

Rhymes for bridge

ridge midge pidge nidge fridge smidge porridge Coolidge Aldridge Eldridge Claridge partridge

See all rhymes for bridge →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “bridge” mean?

The word “bridge” means a structure built to carry a road, railway, or path across a river, valley, or other obstacle. In plain terms, something (a structure, feature, or connection) that crosses a gap and joins two things together.

How do you pronounce “bridge”?

“Bridge” is pronounced brihj (/bɹɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bridge” in a sentence?

Here is “bridge” used in a sentence: “They stopped halfway across the bridge to watch the river below.”

What part of speech is “bridge”?

Depending on how it is used, “bridge” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bridge” come from?

The word “bridge” comes from Old English. From Old English brycg, itself from a much older Germanic root meaning a wooden walkway or plank crossing — related to German Brücke and Dutch brug.

Is “bridge” a common word?

“Bridge” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “bridge” have?

“Bridge” has 7 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a structure built to carry a road, railway, or path across a river, valley, or other obstacle.

What are the main types of bridge?

The main structural types are the beam bridge, a simple span on supports; the arch bridge; the suspension bridge, with the deck hung from cables; the cable-stayed bridge; and the cantilever bridge. Engineers choose between them based on the distance to be crossed, the load expected, and the ground beneath.

What is the difference between a bridge and a tunnel?

Both let a route cross an obstacle, but in opposite ways. A bridge carries the road or railway over the top, across a river, valley, or another road. A tunnel takes it underneath, through a hill or beneath water. Bridges are usually cheaper to build, while tunnels avoid disturbing the surface above.

What is the longest or most famous bridge?

Famous examples include the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Tower Bridge in London, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. For sheer length, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China stretches over 100 miles as part of a high-speed railway, making it one of the longest bridges ever built.

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