Word
girder
Phoneticsgird·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɝdɝ/
UK/ɡˈɜːdɐ/
Countable noun Engineering
Definition
n. a very strong, heavy beam used to support the structure of a building or bridge. It is usually made of steel and helps hold up the weight of the whole project.
n. a large, heavy beam or structural member used to support a bridge, roof, or other heavy construction. Typically fabricated from steel or reinforced concrete to provide high tensile and compressive strength.
Examples
“The workers are lifting a heavy steel girder into place.”
“The bridge collapsed because one of the main girders had rusted through over several decades of neglect.”
“Modern skyscrapers rely on a complex network of steel girders and columns to distribute the immense weight of the upper floors across the foundation.”
Examples
simple
“The workers are lifting a heavy steel girder into place.”
contextual
“The bridge collapsed because one of the main girders had rusted through over several decades of neglect.”
complex
“Modern skyscrapers rely on a complex network of steel girders and columns to distribute the immense weight of the upper floors across the foundation.”
Real-World Examples
“It suffered damage during a 1927 earthquake, and British authorities were forced to shore up the building in 1947 with unsightly exterior girders that remain to this day.” Etymology
From gird + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/girder