A structure supporting the span of a bridge.

General attributive, with the sense ‘of, belonging, or relating to a bridge’ (sense 1); as bridge arch, bridge end, bridge foot, bridge pier, bridge r…

Either end of a bridge. See also bridgehead, n. 1.

The starling or pier of a bridge. Obsolete. rare.

Either end of a bridge. Cf. head, n.1 26b.

General attributive, with the sense ‘of, belonging, or relating to a bridge’ (sense 1); as bridge arch, bridge end, bridge foot, bridge pier, bridge r…

Apparently: one of the piers or supporters of a wooden bridge. (See explanations in quots. 1788 1828.)

The solid mounding at the ends of a bridge.

A structure built around the pier of a bridge so as to protect it from damage by the force of the current, the impact of vessels or floating…

Architecture, Building, and Engineering. An arched or flat beam (originally of wood, later usually of metal) supporting a bridge; one of a series…

An angular end of the pier of a bridge. Obsolete.

Something designed to break up moving ice, so as to diminish its impact; spec. a structure attached to a bridge pier or other construction to protect…

A breakwater, pier, etc., constructed to protect or defend a harbour, stretch of coast, or riverbank. Also: an outwork protecting a pier.

The wedge-shaped end of the pier of a bridge which serves to divide the current, break up masses of ice, etc., flowing against the pier.

The part of a bridge used by traffic.

A strong longitudinal beam in a wooden bridge, supporting the transverse planks or logs.

A barrier against the force of the waves, a breakwater. Also: a cutwater on the pier of a bridge; = cutwater, n. 2.

A temporary framework used to support an arch, dome, etc., esp. while it is under construction; (in plural) the pieces comprising this. Cf. centring…

Applied to various objects resembling the stem of a plant or of a flower, etc. (Cf. stalk, n.1 4 5.) Architecture. (See quot. 1835.)

each of the towers to which the chains are attached in a suspension-bridge or the like.

In Bridge-building. A projecting support or arm of great length, two of which, stretching out from adjacent piers, are used to support a girder…

= cantilever, n. 2.

In extended use: any imposing tower or pillar, esp. either one of a pair marking an entrance or gateway; (more generally) any massive or…

A short chess or plank in a military bridge: see chess, n.2 4.

An arch of a bridge; a section between two piers. Also transferred, the vault of the sky.

diagonal bracing of a bridge designed to prevent swaying.

A beam or post of wood; (now) spec. a short horizontal beam at the top of a strut or shore, which is inserted into a wall to provide support, esp…

(a) = ice guard n. (a) (now rare); (b) an outspread deposit of ice at the foot of a glacier or slope; cf. apron, n. 4i.

A pillar supporting one end of the wing-wall of a bridge. Obsolete. rare.

an arch of a bridge under which the water flows in time of flood.

a girder acting as a needle (sense 8).

steel troughing riveted together to form the floor of a bridge.