bridge
bridge
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "bridge" is /brɪdʒ/.
bridge: /brɪdʒ/
/b/: voiced bilabial stop
/r/: voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/: near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/dʒ/: voiced post-alveolar affricate
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: bridge
Plural Noun: bridges
Present Tense Verb (third person singular): bridges
Present Participle/Gerund: bridging
Past Tense Verb: bridged
Past Participle Verb: bridged
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a river, canyon, or road) to provide passage over it.
Synonyms: viaduct, overpass, aqueduct, causeway, link
Antonyms: chasm, gap, divide, obstruction (in the sense of preventing passage)
Definition: A removable dental prosthesis used to replace one or more missing teeth, anchored to adjacent natural teeth or implants.
Synonyms: dental prosthetic, false teeth (informal), partial denture
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific dental device; perhaps "natural teeth" could be considered a conceptual opposite.)
Definition: A connecting element or intermediary that links two separate things, ideas, or groups, facilitating communication or transition.
Synonyms: link, connection, bond, nexus, intermediary, go-between, mediator
Antonyms: barrier, disconnect, division, separation, rift
Verb
Definition: To build or create a bridge over an obstacle.
Synonyms: span, cross, traverse, connect, link
Antonyms: obstruct, block, sever, separate
Definition: To make a connection or transition between two things, often overcoming a gap or difference.
Synonyms: connect, link, unite, reconcile, close (a gap), overcome, spanning (a divide)
Antonyms: widen (a gap), disconnect, separate, alienate, divide, deepen (a rift)
Definition: (In music) To transition smoothly between two distinct musical sections.
Synonyms: transition, link, connect, segue
Antonyms: abrupt (stop), jarring (transition), break (in flow)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." (The final lines of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. While not explicitly using "bridge," the entire novel can be interpreted as Gatsby trying to bridge the past and present, and the social gap between himself and Daisy.)
"He tried to bridge the silence with a polite cough, but it only seemed to deepen the awkwardness." (Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman, exact wording may vary, but similar phrasing is common to describe attempts to alleviate social tension.)
Newspapers:
"The city council approved plans for a new pedestrian bridge to connect the downtown area with the riverside park, aiming to enhance walkability and tourism." (The Daily Nation - fictional example consistent with local news)
"Negotiators are working tirelessly to bridge the differences between the two warring factions, hoping to achieve a lasting peace agreement." (The New York Times - fictional example)
Online Publications:
"How Blockchain Technology Could Bridge the Gap Between Traditional Finance and Decentralized Systems." (Headline from a technology blog like CoinDesk or TechCrunch - fictional example)
"5 Tips to Bridge Communication Divides in a Remote Work Environment." (Article title from Forbes.com or Harvard Business Review - fictional example)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Music (Song Title/Lyric): "Bridge Over Troubled Water" - A classic song by Simon & Garfunkel, where "bridge" is used metaphorically to represent support and comfort during difficult times.
Film (Dialogue): "You've built a bridge between us, something I never thought possible." (Dialogue from a romantic drama, often used to signify a strong connection or understanding that has developed between characters. - fictional example)
Video Games (Quest/Mission Objective): "Repair the ancient bridge to access the forgotten temple." (Common quest objective in role-playing games like The Legend of Zelda series or Elden Ring.)
Television (News Segment/Documentary Narration): "Engineers are working around the clock to repair the damaged bridge after the recent earthquake, a crucial lifeline for the remote communities." (News report on CNN or BBC, often accompanied by visuals of the damaged structure. - fictional example)
General Public Discourse:
"Let's try to bridge our differences and find common ground on this issue." (Heard in a community meeting or political discussion.)
"That new overpass really helps to bridge the traffic congestion." (Casual conversation about urban infrastructure.)
"My dentist said I'll need a dental bridge to replace that missing tooth." (Personal conversation about dental health.)
"The government needs to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor." (Common statement in social commentary or political debate.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Bridge
"Build no bridge of gold to a flying enemy." (Sun Tzu, The Art of War)
"Don't burn your bridges behind you. You may need to cross them again someday." (Attributed to various sources, often cited as a proverb)
"I bridge the space, I do not make things, I make spaces." (Robert Wilson, The Guardian)
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. It is the bridge from darkness to light." (Attributed to Nelson Mandela)
"Love is the bridge between you and everything." (Rumi)
"We can only build bridges if we don't burn them." (Hillary Clinton, on U.S. relations with other countries)
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." (Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption, this quote, while not using "bridge," metaphorically speaks of a desired connection and crossing a divide, much like building a bridge to freedom.)
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like." (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching. This quote, by embracing change and flow, suggests a metaphorical "bridging" or acceptance of transitions rather than fighting them.)
"The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." (L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between. While not using "bridge," this quote highlights a distinct separation, implying that understanding the past requires a conceptual "bridge.")
"If you want to gather honey, don't kick over the beehive." (Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People. This proverb metaphorically advises against destroying connections or opportunities, similar to not burning a bridge.)
Etymology
The word "bridge" has a long and interesting history, going all the way back to ancient times!
At its core, "bridge" comes from a very old Indo-European root word, something like "*bʰerw-" or "*bʰrēw-". This root likely meant something simple, like a "wooden flooring" or "decking," which makes sense because the earliest bridges were probably just logs or planks laid across gaps.
From this ancient root, the word evolved through various Germanic languages. In Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest), it was "brycg". This "brycg" already meant a structure for crossing over something, just like our modern "bridge."
So, the first known use and meaning of "bridge" was as a noun referring to a structure that allows passage over an obstacle like a river or ravine. This use has been around since before the 12th century, indicating its deep roots in the English language.
Over time, as languages evolved, similar words for "bridge" appeared in other related languages, like "brug" in Dutch and "Brücke" in German, all stemming from that same ancient root.
The verb form, "to bridge" (meaning to build a bridge or to connect things), also appeared early on, derived directly from the noun. The figurative uses we have today, like "bridging a gap" or "bridging differences," came much later, in the 19th century, building on the original idea of connecting two separate points.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Bridge
Bridge the gap: To connect or reconcile two things that are separate or different.
Burn one's bridges (behind one): To destroy all possibility of retreat or return; to make a decision irreversible.
Cross that bridge when one comes to it: To deal with a problem only when it becomes necessary, not before.
Build bridges: To create connections or foster understanding between people or groups.
Under the bridge: Refers to a homeless person's dwelling, or more broadly, forgotten or past events. (e.g., "Water under the bridge.")
Water under the bridge: Used to describe past events that are no longer important or are best forgotten.
A bridge too far: An action that goes beyond acceptable limits.
Bridge loan: A short-term loan used to "bridge" a gap until a longer-term financing option is secured.
Bridge builder: A person who works to create connections and understanding between different groups or individuals.
To bridge a silence: To fill an awkward silence with conversation or action.
To bridge a divide: To overcome differences or disagreements between groups.
To bridge the distance: To reduce the perceived or actual distance between two points or people.
To be a bridge to somewhere: To serve as a necessary connection or stepping stone to a desired outcome.
To bridge the chasm: (Lesser-known, but clear metaphorical use) To overcome a significant, deep separation.
To make a connecting span: (Original, using a synonym for similar effect) To create a link between two points.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of eagle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
