trestle

noun

tres·​tle ˈtre-səl 

 also  ˈtrə-

variants or less commonly tressel

1

: a braced frame serving as a support

2

: horse sense 2b

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

Their recent expansion—developing the historic-but-vacant trestle corridor—adds zhuzh to the city, with a four-season biergarten, an adjacent craft cocktail lounge, and more. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 21 Apr. 2025

The iconic chair references artisanal African designs—the double trestle structure with rounded backing and variegated wood gives the chair an organic look, and highlights the chair’s handcrafted quality. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025

Helene wrought havoc on half its length, washing out trail sections and destroying trestles that carry it over steep valleys. —Barbara Kingsolver, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2025

This popular rail-trail, which features 32 wooden trestle bridges and two train tunnels, is the centerpiece of New River Trail State Park in Southwest Virginia. —Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing trestle

• trestle table

Rhymes for trestle

• cresol
• decile
• nestle
• pestle
• sessile
• vessel
• wessel
• wrestle
• subsessile

Kids Definition

trestle

noun

tres·​tle ˈtres-əl 

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