drawbridge

American  

[draw-brij] / ˈdrɔˌbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a bridge of which the whole or a section may be drawn up, let down, or drawn aside, to prevent access or to leave a passage open for boats, barges, etc.

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drawbridge British  

/ ˈdrɔːˌbrɪdʒ /

noun

1. a bridge that may be raised to prevent access or to enable vessels to pass

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Etymology

Origin of drawbridge

First recorded in 1300–50, drawbridge is from the Middle English word drawebrigge. See draw, bridge ¹

Explanation

In olden times, if you lived in a castle, you might have a drawbridge that could be raised and lowered depending on whether or not you wanted to let people cross your moat. A drawbridge gets its name from the fact that it could be "drawn up," or raised, to keep intruders or unwanted visitors away from a tower or castle. The typical medieval drawbridge spanned a deep, wide moat (a trench filled with water). This moveable wooden bridge was usually attached to a guarded gatehouse and could be raised and lowered fairly easily with ropes or chains.

Example Sentences

One device, the Drawbridge OneDraw, was also used in a study checking coronavirus antibody levels.

From The Verge • Aug. 3, 2022

Eastport is southeast of downtown Annapolis via the Spa Creek Drawbridge, a vital connection.

From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2020

Among ad tech companies, Drawbridge raised $25 million in series C funding in May for its cross-device ad targeting and tracking company.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 26, 2016

By the 1990s, the remaining 9.3 acres were surrounded by homes, apartments and other developments along Horse Pen Creek Road and Drawbridge Parkway.

From Washington Times • Mar. 5, 2016

The halfway point is the Queensland Drawbridge, which arches over the river, and then the course winds back toward the historic settlement houses and into Old Town.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen