1. bridges that can be raised or moved to allow ships to pass underneath or to prevent access across

Examples

• The medieval castle had drawbridges that could be raised to keep enemies out.
• Ships waited for the drawbridges to open so they could pass through the harbor.
• The city’s drawbridges are raised twice daily to allow boat traffic.
• Many old fortresses featured drawbridges as their primary defense mechanism.
• The drawbridges over the canal create traffic delays when they’re raised.
• Engineers inspected the drawbridges to ensure they were working properly.