underbridge

underbridge

English

Etymology

    From under- + bridge.

    Pronunciation

    • Audio (US):(file)

    Noun

    underbridge (plural underbridges)

    1. (British) A bridge that allows traffic to pass under a road, river, railway etc.
      • 1979 August, Michael Harris, “A line for all reasons: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway”, in Railway World, page 412:
        As to underbridges, the policy is to wait until the small underline bridges become due for renewal when they will be replaced by prestressed concrete structures.
      • 2020 December 2, “Network News: Green light for NR to close crossings”, in Rail, page 23:
        Additionally, NR has been given permission to alter highway rights at the underbridge at Littleport station.
    2. The underneath of a bridge.

    Usage notes

    Where a bridge takes one form of transport over another it is both an underbridge and an overbridge, depending on the reference level. For example, where a road passes above a railway, the bridge is an overbridge from the point of view of the railway, and an underbridge from the point of view of the road.

    See also

    References