drawbridge

Everyday

1. A bridge that can be pulled up or lifted, especially over a castle moat, to stop enemies getting in. tree →
2. A modern bridge over a river that lifts to let tall ships pass, like Tower Bridge in London. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons on castles, the drawbridge, moat, portcullis and battlements are the main defences. In stories about knights and sieges, «Raise the drawbridge!» means the castle is closing to attackers. Tower Bridge in London is a famous bridge that lifts (a bascule bridge).

Examples

• The guards raised the drawbridge as the army came near. tree →
• The drawbridge crossed the moat to the castle gate. tree →
• We built a cardboard castle with a drawbridge on string. tree →
• Tower Bridge opens like a drawbridge to let ships through. tree →
• The knight rode over the drawbridge. tree →
• Pull up the drawbridge! shouted the king. tree →
• Close by the drawbridge, near the gate, there was an old willow tree, which bent over the reeds. tree →

Note

Countable; one word. «Draw» here means «pull», as in «draw the curtains». Opposite actions: «raise / pull up the drawbridge» and «lower / let down the drawbridge».