Word
trestle
Phoneticstres·tle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹɛsəɫ/
UK/tɹˈɛsəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a strong frame with legs that holds up something heavy, like a table top or a bridge. You often see two of them under a long table.
n. a braced frame support consisting of a horizontal beam on splayed legs, used in pairs to support a tabletop or platform, or in series to support a bridge deck.
Examples
“They place a board on two trestles for a table.”
“The workers rest the scaffolding planks on wooden trestles while they paint the wall.”
“The old railway crossed the valley on a tall timber trestle that swayed slightly whenever a freight train passed.”
Examples
simple
“They place a board on two trestles for a table.”
contextual
“The workers rest the scaffolding planks on wooden trestles while they paint the wall.”
complex
“The old railway crossed the valley on a tall timber trestle that swayed slightly whenever a freight train passed.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “trestle” in context.
Verb
01. assemble trestle
“He assembled the trestle in minutes without needing any tools.”
verb + noun
02. dismantle trestle
“After the exhibition, they dismantled the trestles and stacked them away.”
verb + noun
03. erect trestle
“Workers erected trestles to support the temporary stage for the concert.”
verb + noun
04. rest on trestle
“The long scaffold board rests securely on trestles at each end.”
verb + prep + noun
Adjective
05. folding trestle
“We used two folding trestles to support the plywood for painting.”
adj + noun
06. steel trestle
“The railway crosses the valley on a high steel trestle built in the 1890s.”
adj + noun
07. sturdy trestle
“Place the door on a sturdy trestle before you start sanding it.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. pair of trestles
“You will need a pair of trestles to hold the tabletop steady while you work.”
noun + prep + noun
09. trestle bridge
“The steam train slowed as it crossed the old trestle bridge over the gorge.”
noun + noun
10. a wooden trestle bridge
“The trail crosses a wooden trestle bridge high above the river.”
11. rest planks on trestles
“The painters rested planks on trestles to reach the high ceiling.”
12. set up a trestle table
“They set up a trestle table in the garden for drinks and snacks.”
Usage
Common in the compounds 'trestle table' and 'trestle bridge'.
Real-World Examples
“The water is low, the estuary quiet, and the trestles that once held thousands of shellfish now look tired and bare.” “Sources indicated that the outage was triggered by the collapse of a segment of the trestle that supports the pipes for propane and butane, based on a notification from Aramco to its customers.” Etymology
From Middle English trestel, from Old French trestel (“crossbeam”) (French tréteau), from Latin trānstellum, diminutive of trānstrum.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- 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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