cattle guard
noun
: a shallow ditch with rails or bars laid across that are spread far enough apart to prevent livestock from crossing but not people or vehicles
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Each summer — often several times a summer — my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed. 
New York Times, 3 Jan. 2022 Each summer — often several times a summer — my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed. Elizabeth Weil, ProPublica, 3 Jan. 2022 Head east at the bottom of the off ramp and follow Stoneman Lake Road (Forest Road 213) 1.8 miles to Forest Road 213F on the right where there’s a gate and cattle guard. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2021 There is this really powerful moment in the film of Jamaica huddled on the cold asphalt, chained to a cattle guard, in an effort to block the construction. Eunica Escalante, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2021 The road twists downhill and crosses the sandy riparian strip before heading uphill again to a cattle guard and fence line signed for U Cross Ranch. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2020 Just a few yards east of the tank, a cattle guard and sign post for Cottonwood Trail 9709 signals the beginning of an optional continuation of the hike. Mare Czinar, azcentral, 12 Mar. 2020 Turn left, drive 5.4 miles to a cattle guard past mile marker 25 and park in any of the turnouts along the road. Jill Cassidy, azcentral, 7 Feb. 2020 According to Tupper, the park spent $1.218 million on 43 miles of new fencing and three cattle guards; $743,000 came from charitable organizations and their supporters. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 19 Oct. 2019 See More
New York Times, 3 Jan. 2022 Each summer — often several times a summer — my family drove over Tioga Pass, crossed the cattle guard up into Lundy Canyon, stripped on the rock beside the swimming hole, plunged into the snowmelt and emerged, elated and cleansed. Elizabeth Weil, ProPublica, 3 Jan. 2022 Head east at the bottom of the off ramp and follow Stoneman Lake Road (Forest Road 213) 1.8 miles to Forest Road 213F on the right where there’s a gate and cattle guard. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 8 Oct. 2021 There is this really powerful moment in the film of Jamaica huddled on the cold asphalt, chained to a cattle guard, in an effort to block the construction. Eunica Escalante, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2021 The road twists downhill and crosses the sandy riparian strip before heading uphill again to a cattle guard and fence line signed for U Cross Ranch. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2020 Just a few yards east of the tank, a cattle guard and sign post for Cottonwood Trail 9709 signals the beginning of an optional continuation of the hike. Mare Czinar, azcentral, 12 Mar. 2020 Turn left, drive 5.4 miles to a cattle guard past mile marker 25 and park in any of the turnouts along the road. Jill Cassidy, azcentral, 7 Feb. 2020 According to Tupper, the park spent $1.218 million on 43 miles of new fencing and three cattle guards; $743,000 came from charitable organizations and their supporters. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 19 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1843, in the meaning defined above