Meaning & use
bridge
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Meanings
nouncountable
A structure that lets a road, path or railway cross over a river, valley or another road.
Grammar: Countable: a bridge, two bridges. Prepositions: a bridge over the river, a bridge across the valley.
Patterns
- a bridge over something
- a bridge across something
- cross a bridge
We walked across the old stone bridge to the village.
The bridge over the river was closed for repairs.
A new railway bridge will shorten the journey.
nouncountablefigurative
Something that links two different people, groups or ideas and helps them understand each other.
Grammar: Usually followed by between or to: a bridge between generations.
Patterns
- a bridge between X and Y
- a bridge to something
The exchange program is a bridge between the two schools.
Music became a bridge between the two cultures.
This course acts as a bridge to university study.
verbtransitive
To reduce or close a gap or difference between two things or groups.
Grammar: Takes an object: bridge the gap, bridge a divide.
Patterns
- bridge the gap
- bridge the divide between X and Y
The new software bridges the gap between design and engineering.
A good mediator can bridge the divide between angry neighbors.
She took a short job to bridge the months before college.
nounsingulartechnical
The raised deck of a ship from which it is steered and commanded.
Grammar: Normally used with the: the captain is on the bridge.
Patterns
- on the bridge
- the ship's bridge
The captain stood on the bridge and watched the horizon.
Officers on the bridge noticed a light ahead.
Visitors cannot enter the bridge during a voyage.
noununcountable
A card game for four players in two partnerships, in which players bid and then try to win tricks.
Grammar: Uncountable and used without an article: they play bridge.
Patterns
- play bridge
- a game of bridge
My grandparents play bridge every Thursday evening.
She joined a bridge club after retiring.
Bridge needs good memory and teamwork.
Word forms
| plural | bridges |
|---|---|
| third person singular | bridges |
| past tense | bridged |
| past participle | bridged |
| -ing form | bridging |
Common combinations
- cross a bridge
- You cross a bridge just before the town.
- build a bridge
- Engineers will build a bridge over the creek.
- bridge the gap
- Training can bridge the gap between school and work.
- suspension bridge
- The suspension bridge swayed slightly in the wind.
- burn your bridges
- Don't burn your bridges when you leave a job.
- cross that bridge when you come to it
- We may need more money, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Synonyms and how they differ
- link
- Link is a general word for any connection, while bridge suggests joining two sides that were separated.
- viaduct
- A viaduct is a long bridge with several arches, usually carrying a road or railway across a valley.
- span
- Span is the part of a bridge between supports, or the distance it covers, rather than the whole structure.
- connect
- Connect, as a verb, is broader and can mean joining anything, whereas bridge usually implies a gap or difference being overcome.
Opposites
Word family
- bridging adjective
- used to join or cover a gap, as in a bridging loan
- footbridge noun
- a bridge for walkers only
- drawbridge noun
- a bridge that can be lifted
- bridgehead noun
- a position taken on the far side of a river or obstacle
Commonly confused: bridge or bride?
bridge vs bride
A bride is a woman about to be married; it is similar in spelling but has no link with bridge.
Practice
The after-school club helps ______ the gap between students who can afford tutoring and those who cannot.
Choose one answer.
Bridge the gap is a fixed pattern meaning to reduce a difference; cross and border do not form this phrase, and overlook means to ignore.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bridge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.