What does viaduct mean?
A viaduct is a bridge that carries a road, railway, or footpath across a valley, ravine, marsh, or another obstruction. Such bridges commonly consist of a series of arches supported by piers, although modern viaducts may use steel or concrete construction. The word is useful because it identifies a recognizable structural form rather than merely calling the structure a bridge. Viaducts are especially associated with railways and mountainous terrain, where a direct route may need to cross a deep depression without following the valley floor. In everyday speech, people may simply say “bridge,” but “viaduct” is more precise when the structure consists of multiple elevated spans. The term should not be confused with “aqueduct”: although both may have a long, elevated profile and a similar appearance, a viaduct carries people or vehicles, whereas an aqueduct carries water.
nounA bridge, often consisting of a series of arches, that carries a road, railway, or footpath across a valley, ravine, or other obstruction.
- A bridge carrying a road, railway, or footpath across a valley, ravine, or other obstruction, typically supported by a series of arches or piers.
"The train crossed the lofty stone viaduct before descending into the valley."
"A stone viaduct carries the railway safely across the wooded valley."
"The city restored an abandoned railway viaduct and opened it as a pedestrian walkway."
The standard plural is formed by adding “-s” and is used in both British and American English.
"Several old railway viaducts have been converted into walking and cycling paths."
From Latin for a “way” that is “led” across a gap, the viaduct is literally a route carried over an obstacle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does viaduct come from?
The word comes from Latin viaductus, formed from via, meaning “way,” and ductus, meaning “leading” or “conveying,” from ducere, “to lead.” The compound was borrowed into English for an elevated structure carrying a way across an obstruction. Words such as conduct, deduce, induce, and conduit descend from the same Latin verb and therefore share a close etymological connection with the second element of viaduct.
How viaduct is actually used
The term is standard and broadly neutral in both British and American English. It is more specific than the general word “bridge,” often suggesting a long elevated structure with repeated spans.
Easily confused with viaduct
A viaduct carries road, rail, or foot traffic, whereas an aqueduct carries water.