trestle

noun

tres·​tle ˈtre-səl 

 also  ˈtrə-

variants or less commonly tressel

1

: a braced frame serving as a support

2

: horse sense 2b

3

: a braced framework of timbers, piles, or steelwork for carrying a road or railroad over a depression

Examples of trestle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Another legend states the creature is so horrible to behold that people jump from the trestle in fear to escape it. —Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 28 Sep. 2024

Video footage obtained by CBS affiliate KHOU appears to show that part of the train trestle that runs along the bridge has collapsed. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 15 May 2024

Passengers travel over historic trestle bridges and through a 734-foot-long tunnel, following 20 miles of the Verde River. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024

Start atop the mountain, then follow the trail for 34.3 miles through farmlands and across rushing streams spanned by 50-some wooden trestles. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English trestel, from Anglo-French, from Vulgar Latin *trastellum, from Latin transtillum, diminutive of transtrum traverse beam, from trans across — more at through entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trestle

• trestle table

Kids Definition

trestle

noun

tres·​tle ˈtres-əl 

1

: a braced frame consisting usually of a horizontal piece with spreading legs at each end that supports something (as the top of a table)

2

: a structure of timbers or steel for carrying a road or railroad over a valley