viaduct

[vahy-uh-duhkt]

noun

1. a bridge for carrying a road, railroad, etc., over a valley or the like, consisting of a number of short spans.

viaduct

/ ˈvaɪəˌdʌkt /

noun

1. a bridge, esp for carrying a road or railway across a valley, etc, consisting of a set of arches supported by a row of piers or towers

Word History and Origins

Origin of viaduct¹

1810–20; < Latin via way + (aque)duct

Word History and Origins

Origin of viaduct¹

C19: from Latin via way + dūcere to bring, on the model of aqueduct

Example Sentences

Instead, drivers have been leaving the motorway and "rat running" through small villages in a bid to avoid hour-long delays on the approach to the viaduct.

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Massive viaducts are going up and can be seen driving up and down State Route 99.

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Nearly half a million tourists visited the viaduct in the first 10 months of 2023, according to National Trust Scotland.

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National Highways said two of the four northbound lanes remained closed on the viaduct, between junctions 20 and 21, and warned drivers to allow extra time.

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Network Rail, which owns the site, said that meant the 183-year-old viaduct was no longer "as it was" and was in need of protection.

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Related Words

• overpass