cattle guard

noun

: a shallow ditch with rails or bars laid across that are spread far enough apart to prevent livestock from crossing but not people or vehicles

Examples of cattle guard in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The cattle guards reacted quickly, and neighbors soon came to the rescue, repelling the attackers, who left six dead behind. Jérôme Tubiana, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2015 But by the morning, the cattle guards learned that Kiir was still alive and that the war had not ended. Jérôme Tubiana, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2015 There’s parking in a dirt turnout past the cattle guard. Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024 In the distance, the hoot of a great horned owl, the sheep stirring in their pen clear across the pasture; even farther away, tires crossing a cattle guard. Pam Houston, Outside Online, 13 May 2019 See all Example Sentences for cattle guard 

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cattle guard was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near cattle guard

Cite this Entry

“Cattle guard.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cattle%20guard. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!