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Definition of drawbridge
drawbridge
/ˈdrɔːˌbrɪdʒ/
draw · bridge
Plural:drawbridges
drawbridge Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
4
Tier
2
Usage
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drawbridge Game Scores & Validity
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• noun
1
A type of movable bridge that can be raised, lowered, or drawn aside, historically used across the moat of a castle to control access and provide defense.
Example
"As the enemy forces approached, the guards hastily raised the drawbridge to secure the castle."
2
A modern bridge over a navigable waterway that can be lifted or parted to allow the passage of tall ships or boats.
Example
"Traffic was delayed for twenty minutes because the drawbridge was raised for a passing sailboat."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for drawbridgeWord Origin & Etymology
First recorded in the 14th century, from the Middle English 'draubrigge', combining 'draw' (referring to the action of pulling or hauling the bridge up using chains or ropes) and 'bridge'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Drawbridge. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/drawbridge