cattle guard

American  

noun

1. a structure consisting typically of parallel bars over a shallow ditch, used to prevent cattle from straying.

---

Etymology

Origin of cattle guard

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Soft know-it-alls from the city and phonies of any stripe receive rough treatment in his shows, such as the llama farmer from California who gets thrown under a Montana cattle guard in “Yellowstone.”

From The Wall Street Journal

As Nali drove over uneven surfaces or cattle guards, something in the bags would jingle brightly.

From Literature

She drove across a cattle guard and caught a reflection of light to her left.

From Washington Times

The Port has built a fence and put cattle guards on roadways around the airfield to keep animals out.

From Washington Times

The inspector described a phone call from an official in Washington who wanted to know why a highway project called for so many cattle guards, the grills placed in roadways to impede livestock.

From Los Angeles Times