1. A structure spanning and providing passage over a gap or barrier, such as a river or roadway.
2. Something resembling or analogous to this structure in form or function: a land bridge between the continents; a bridge of understanding between two countries.
3. 1. The upper bony ridge of the human nose.
   2. The part of a pair of eyeglasses that rests against this ridge.
4. A fixed or removable replacement for one or several but not all of the natural teeth, usually anchored at each end to a natural tooth.
5. Music.
   1. A thin, upright piece of wood in some stringed instruments that supports the strings above the soundboard.
   2. A transitional passage connecting two subjects or movements.
6. Nautical. A crosswise platform or enclosed area above the main deck of a ship from which the ship is controlled.
7. Games.
   1. A long stick with a notched plate at one end, used to steady the cue in billiards. Also called rest.
   2. The hand used as a support to steady the cue.
8. Electricity.
   1. Any of various instruments for measuring or comparing the characteristics, such as impedance or inductance, of a conductor.
   2. An electrical shunt.
9. Chemistry. An intramolecular connection that spans atoms or groups of atoms.

1. To build a bridge over.
2. To cross by or as if by a bridge.

[Middle English brigge, from Old English brycg.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.