European country dispenses with one bridge (4)
I believe the answer is:
span
'bridge' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'european country dispenses with one' is the wordplay.
'european country' becomes 'spain' (country in Europe).
'dispenses with' is a deletion indicator.
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'spain' with 'i' removed is 'SPAN'.
(Other definitions for span that I've seen before include "Length of bridge - 9 inches!" , "Cover" , "Extent of bridge or life" , "Interval; pair of yoked oxen" , "Ox team; bridge" .)