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

Example Sentences

Those ties were broken when he walked away and pulled up the drawbridge behind him.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

In any case, simply pulling up the drawbridge, hoisting the “independence” flag, and pouring boiling scorn on the barbarians at the gate isn’t a viable response.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

Drivers going both ways crammed into its twin four-lane drawbridge until a 150-foot-high concrete bridge opened in phases during 1983 and 1984.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 26, 2024

Australia and New Zealand took a very different approach, taking an early decision to "pull up the drawbridge".

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2024

The Kingsroad Gate had not, and ice had frozen those drawbridge chains rock hard.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin