cattle guard

noun

1. a structure consisting typically of parallel bars over a shallow ditch, used to prevent cattle from straying.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cattle guard¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

As Nali drove over uneven surfaces or cattle guards, something in the bags would jingle brightly.

From Literature

She drove across a cattle guard and caught a reflection of light to her left.

From Washington Times

The Port has built a fence and put cattle guards on roadways around the airfield to keep animals out.

From Washington Times

The inspector described a phone call from an official in Washington who wanted to know why a highway project called for so many cattle guards, the grills placed in roadways to impede livestock.

From Los Angeles Times

Last July, construction workers arrived at Mauna Kea to start building the telescope, only to find that nine protesters had handcuffed themselves to a cattle guard, blocking the road up the mountain.

From New York Times