truss

Everyday

1. A truss is a frame of beams joined in triangles that holds up a roof or a bridge. tree →
2. To truss means to tie someone or something up tightly, for example the legs and wings of a chicken before cooking. tree →
3. A truss is also a padded belt worn to support the body after an injury (medical, old-fashioned). tree →
4. A truss is a bunch of flowers or fruit on one stalk, like truss tomatoes. tree →

In the lessons

In science and DT (design and technology) lessons, trusses show why triangles are strong shapes in bridges and roofs; in cooking, trussing a turkey; in stories, a villain trusses up the hero; phrases: truss up, roof truss, truss bridge.

Examples

• The bridge is held up by steel trusses. tree →
• Triangles make a truss very strong. tree →
• Grandma trussed the turkey with string. tree →
• The robbers trussed up the guard with rope. tree →
• We built a truss bridge from straws in DT. tree →
• Mum bought a bag of truss tomatoes. tree →
• “Here is another one,” cried Caevo’g as she bundled a trussed champion along. tree →

Note

Countable. Past: trussed. Maths/DT link: a triangle cannot change shape without bending its sides, which is why trusses use triangles. Do not confuse with «trust».