fence

1 of 2

noun

ˈfen(t)s 

often attributive

1

archaic : a means of protection : defense

2

a

: a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary

especially : such a barrier made of posts and wire or boards

b

: an immaterial barrier or boundary line

on the other side of the fence in the argument

3

: fencing sense 1

4

a

: a receiver of stolen goods

b

: a place where stolen goods are bought

fenceless

ˈfen(t)s-ləs 

adjective

fencelessness noun

fence

2 of 2

verb

fenced; fencing

transitive verb

1

a

: to enclose with a fence

b(1)

: to keep in or out with a fence

(2)

: to ward off

2

: to provide a defense for

3

: to sell (stolen property) to a fence

intransitive verb

1

a

: to practice fencing

b(1)

: to use tactics of attack and defense resembling those of fencing

(2)

: to parry arguments by shifting ground

2

archaic : to provide protection

fencer noun

Phrases

on the fence

: in a position of neutrality or indecision

Synonyms

Noun

• barricade
• barrier
• hedge
• wall

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• safeguard
• screen
• secure
• shield
• ward

Examples of fence in a Sentence

Noun

We put up a fence around our yard.

the only way to prevent motorists from trying to use that unsafe bridge is to put a fence across the road leading to it

Verb

a house with a fenced-in yard

He stole watches and fenced them on the street.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fact check: Image of person thrown in storm not from Hurricane Beryl The video of the trampoline blowing across someone's backyard and tearing through their fence was captured during a 2021 storm in North Carolina, according to the Weather Channel. —Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 27 Sep. 2024

Decide to decide: decision-making strategies of top entrepreneurs No one became successful by sitting on the fence. —Jodie Cook, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Verb

Nothing is fenced in; instead, elephants and other animals, even leopards, are allowed to roam freely through the property. —Prasad Ramamurthy, Travel + Leisure, 18 Sep. 2024

Wheelchair fencing The Burbank Parks and Recreation Department holds free sessions every Sunday for all ages. —David Wharton, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English fens, short for defens, defense defense entry 1

Verb

Middle English fensen, derivative of fens fence entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing fence

• chain-link fence
• drift fence
• electric fence
• electrified fence
• fence-mending
• fence-sitting
• picket fence
• ring-fence
• snake fence
• snow fence
• stockade fence
• straddle the fence
• sunk fence
• the grass is always greener on the other side (of the fence)
• Virginia fence
• worm fence

Kids Definition

fence

1 of 2 noun

ˈfen(t)s 

1

: a barrier (as of wood or wire) to prevent escape or entry or to mark a boundary

2

: a person who receives stolen goods

fenceless

-ləs 

adjective

fence

2 of 2 verb

fenced; fencing

1

a

: to enclose with a fence

b

: to keep in or out with a fence

2

: to practice fencing

3

: to sell (stolen property) to a fence

fencer noun

Legal Definition

fence

1 of 2 noun

1

: a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary

2

a

: a receiver of stolen goods

b

: a place where stolen goods are bought

fence

2 of 2 transitive verb

fenced; fencing

1

a

: to enclose with a fence

b

: to keep in or out with a fence

2

: to sell (stolen property) to a fence