girder
/ˈɡəːdə
/noun
A large iron or steel beam or compound structure used for building bridges and the framework of large buildings: the tower is made of steel girders criss-crossed to make it stronger...
- It depicts a construction worker hanging desperately from a steel girder on a building site.
- Black construction workers tight-rope walked along the high steel girders of the airport building.
- These segments were supported by steel truss girders on falsework.
Origin
Early 17th century: from gird1 in the archaic sense 'brace, strengthen'.