Editing Drawbridge (section)

{{Short description|Type of moveable bridge}}
{{About|a type of bridge commonly found at the entrance to castles|the broader American meaning of the term|Moveable bridge|other uses|Drawbridge (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Drawbridge.gif|thumb|Animation showing the operation of a drawbridge]]
A '''drawbridge''' or '''draw-bridge''' is a type of [[moveable bridge]] typically at the entrance to a [[castle]] or tower surrounded by a [[moat]]. In some forms of English, including [[American English]], the word ''drawbridge'' commonly refers to all types of moveable bridges, such as [[bascule bridge]]s, [[vertical-lift bridge]]s and [[swing bridge]]s, but this article concerns the narrower historical definition where the bridge is used in a defensive structure.<ref>{{cite web |title=Drawbridge definition and meaning |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/drawbridge |website=CollinsDictionary.com |publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref>

As used in castles or defensive structures, drawbridges provide access across defensive structures when lowered, but can quickly be raised from within to deny entry to an enemy force.