trestle

noun

tres·​tle ˈtre-səl How to pronounce trestle (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The scenic journey zigzags along the river canyon and over a 137-foot trestle. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 14 May 2026 The piece is abstract, and combines — to break it down for the sake of easy discussion — the shape of a railroad trestle adorned with hummingbird feathers. — Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 12 Jan. 2026 All five finalist designs would convert the old railroad trestle into a pedestrian bridge. — Providence Journal, The Providence Journal, 23 Apr. 2026 The woman, who had begun to experience cognitive impairment, was hiking with a group of family and friends toward old train trestles in the area. — Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for trestle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of trestle was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing trestle

Rhymes for trestle

See All Rhymes for trestle

Browse Nearby Words

tres-tine
trestle
trestle bent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trestle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trestle. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

trestle

noun
tres·​tle ˈtres-əl How to pronounce trestle (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on trestle

Nglish: Translation of trestle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trestle

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