Definition of bridge
1a : a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle (such as a river) a bridge connecting the island to the mainlandb : a time, place, or means of connection or transition building a bridge between the two cultures the bridge from war to peace
2 : something resembling a bridge in form or function: such asa : the upper bony part of the nose broke the bridge of his nose; also : the part of a pair of glasses that rests upon itb music : a piece raising the strings of a musical instrument — see violin illustrationc nautical : the forward part of a ship's superstructure (see superstructure 2b) from which the ship is navigatedd railroads : gantry 2be billiards : the hand as a rest for a cue; also : a device used as a cue rest
3a music : a passage linking two sections of a compositionb dentistry : a partial denture anchored to adjacent teethc chemistry : a connection (such as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (such as opposite sides of a ring)
4 physics : an electrical instrument or network for measuring or comparing resistances (see 1resistance 4a), inductances, capacitances, or impedances by comparing the ratio of two opposing voltages to a known ratio
Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Illustration of bridge
Origin and Etymology of bridge
Middle English brigge, from Old English brycg; akin to Old High German brucka bridge, Old Church Slavonic brŭvŭno beam
First Known Use: before 12th century
bridge
Definition of bridge
bridged
;bridging
transitive verb
1 : to make a bridge (see 1bridge) over or across bridging a river bridge the divisions between the two groups bridge the generation gap; also : to join by a bridge
2 : to provide with a bridge small bridged streams
Origin and Etymology of bridge
Middle English briggen, going back to Old English brycgian, noun derivative of brycg 1bridge
First Known Use: before 12th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
bridge
Definition of bridge
card games : any of various card games for usually four players in two partnerships that bid for the right to declare a trump suit, seek to win tricks (see 1trick 4) equal to the final bid, and play with the hand of declarer 's partner exposed and played by declarer; especially : contract bridge
Origin and Etymology of bridge
alteration of earlier biritch, of unknown origin
First Known Use: 1886
BRIDGE Defined for English Language Learners
bridge
Definition of bridge for English Language Learners
-
: to make a bridge over or across (something)
BRIDGE Defined for Kids
Definition of bridge for Students
1 : a structure built over something (as water, a low place, or a railroad) so people can cross
2 : the place on a ship where the ship is steered
3 : something that joins or connects : something like a bridge the bridge of the nose a bridge between cultures
Definition of bridge for Students
bridged
;bridging
: to make a bridge over or across bridge a gap
Medical Dictionary
bridge
playMedical Definition of bridge
1a: the upper bony part of the noseb: the curved part of a pair of glasses that rests upon this part of the nose
2a: ponsb: a strand of protoplasm extending between two cellsc: a partial denture held in place by anchorage to adjacent teethd: a connection (as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite sides of a ring)e: an area of physical continuity between two chromatids persisting during the later phases of mitosis and constituting a possible source of somatic genetic change
Learn More about bridge
-
See words that rhyme with bridge Spanish Central: Translation of bridge Nglish: Translation of bridge for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bridge for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bridge
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up bridge? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!