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
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 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 For years, archaeologists contended that the riverbed near Solothurn could contain a pile trestle due to the unique characteristics of this small municipality in Switzerland. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 June 2026 The victim was a 17-year-old Allentown resident who jumped from the trestle into Jordan Creek and did not resurface, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center said in a press release on Thursday, May 28. Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 Starting on Monday, June 1, work to repair a train trestle over the Youghiogheny River will go into full swing and last for several months. Christopher Derose, CBS News, 29 May 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Trestle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trestle. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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

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