noun
bridge
brihj
noun
1
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."
2
The bony or cartilaginous ridge along the top of the nose.
"His glasses kept sliding down the bridge of his nose."
3
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."
4
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."
5
A trick-taking card game for four players in two partnerships.
"They play bridge with the same three friends every Thursday night."
6
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
1
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 notesIn 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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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.