swing bridge


noun

a bridge that can open by pivoting on a central pier to let vessels pass.

Origin of swing bridge

First recorded in 1700–10

Example sentences from the Web for swing bridge

  • Let us get out over the swing-bridge, and reach the Etoille bars, where three hundred of the horse-guards await us.

    The Countess of Charny |Alexandre Dumas (pere)
  • The Indus is crossed by a swing-bridge of willow twigs, which leads from the villages on the north bank to the fort of Rondu.

    Western Himalaya and Tibet |Thomas Thomson
  • Stopped at Varennes, the would-be fugitives were led back to the palace across the swing-bridge on the south-western side.

    Historic Paris |Jetta S. Wolff

British Dictionary definitions for swing bridge

swing bridge

noun

Also called: pivot bridge, turn bridge a low bridge that can be rotated about a vertical axis, esp to permit the passage of ships Compare drawbridge
NZ a pedestrian bridge over a river, suspended by heavy wire cables