bridge
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for bridge, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A structure built to carry a road, railway, or path across a river, valley, or other obstacle.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use bridge
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.
Full origin of 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.