cattle guard
noun
: a shallow ditch with rails or bars laid across that are spread far enough apart to prevent livestock from crossing but not people or vehicles
Examples of cattle guard in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In the distance, the hoot of a great horned owl, the sheep stirring in their pen clear across the pasture; even farther away, tires crossing a cattle guard.
—
Pam Houston, Outside Online, 13 May 2019
Soon, the first of the willows appear where Little Hackberry Wash spills over the road in view of a small corral area and cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022
How to try it:This easy Sedona hike shows off iconic red rock formations The trek into the past begins where the unsigned forest road crosses a cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Gambel oaks and wild roses enter the botanical mix before the road meets a cattle guard at the 3.85-mile point.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2022
Just before the cattle guard, a rough road spins off to the right.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022
Each summer — often several times a summer — my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed.
—Elizabeth Weil, ProPublica, 3 Jan. 2022
Head east at the bottom of the off ramp and follow Stoneman Lake Road (Forest Road 213) 1.8 miles to Forest Road 213F on the right where there’s a gate and cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2021
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Pam Houston, Outside Online, 13 May 2019
Soon, the first of the willows appear where Little Hackberry Wash spills over the road in view of a small corral area and cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022
How to try it:This easy Sedona hike shows off iconic red rock formations The trek into the past begins where the unsigned forest road crosses a cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2023
Gambel oaks and wild roses enter the botanical mix before the road meets a cattle guard at the 3.85-mile point.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 July 2022
Just before the cattle guard, a rough road spins off to the right.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 15 Sep. 2022
Each summer — often several times a summer — my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed.
—Elizabeth Weil, ProPublica, 3 Jan. 2022
Head east at the bottom of the off ramp and follow Stoneman Lake Road (Forest Road 213) 1.8 miles to Forest Road 213F on the right where there’s a gate and cattle guard.
—Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2021
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cattle guard.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near cattle guard
Cite this Entry
“Cattle guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cattle%20guard. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.
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