hedge

1 of 3

noun

ˈhej 

1

a

: a fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees

b

: barrier, limit

pikemen … present a hedge of metal points from which any cavalry would flinch

—Tom Wintringham

regarded it as the main function of their existence to raise a hedge around the law

—F. W. Farrar

2

: a means of protection or defense (as against financial loss)

realization that common stocks are the best hedge against inflation

—C. E. Merrill

3

: a calculatedly noncommittal or evasive statement

bureaucratic literature … festooned with hedges and qualifications

—Fortune

hedge

2 of 3

verb

hedged; hedging

transitive verb

1

: to enclose or protect with or as if with a dense row of shrubs or low trees : to enclose or protect with or as if with a hedge (see hedge entry 1 sense 1a) : encircle

homes hedged with boxwoods

2

: to confine so as to prevent freedom of movement or action : to obstruct with or as if with a barrier : hinder

hedged about by special regulations and statutes

—Sandi Rosenbloom

3

: to protect oneself from losing or failing by a counterbalancing action

hedge a bet

intransitive verb

1

: to plant, form, or trim a hedge

2

: to evade the risk of commitment especially by leaving open a way of retreat : trim

hedged on the issue

3

: to protect oneself financially

—usually used with against

in order to hedge against inflation

—George Katona

: such as

a

: to buy or sell commodity futures (see future entry 2 sense 3) as a protection against loss due to price fluctuation

b

: to minimize the risk of a bet

hedger noun

hedgingly

ˈhe-jiŋ-lē 

adverb

hedge

3 of 3

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or designed for a hedge (see hedge entry 1)

a hedge plant

hedge selling on the commodity exchanges

2

: born, living, or made alongside or as if alongside a dense row of shrubs or low trees : born, living, or made near or as if near hedges (see hedge entry 1 sense 1a) : roadside

the services of a hedge parson

a hedge wedding

3

: inferior sense 1

a hedge tavern

Synonyms

Noun

• barricade
• barrier
• fence
• wall

Verb

• equivocate
• fudge
• pussyfoot
• tergiversate
• waffle
• weasel

Examples of hedge in a Sentence

Noun

the messenger was confronted with a hedge of spears held aloft by the castle guards

Verb

The garden is hedged by flowering shrubs.

She hedged when she was asked to support the campaign.

He hedged his earlier comments about the need for new management.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But Meaning’s Edge almost captures that energy, following his muse down a hedge maze through genres—drum & bass, techno, downtempo—at breakneck speed. —Pitchfork, 5 Dec. 2024

Each fence, wall, hedge, or canal laid over or through an existing path must be punctured by a gate, stile, or bridge. —Steven Potter, Outside Online, 19 Nov. 2024

Verb

Biden, however, hedged his praise for the rebels with a warning that the U.S. will keep an eye on how events unfold and how those groups act in the coming weeks and months. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 8 Dec. 2024

Both takeover prospects hedge some of that exposure. —Ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Nature's winter forecast:From hedge apples to acorns, what to look for in nature to predict winter weather Do woolly bear caterpillars forecast winter weather? —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 31 Oct. 2024

REITs, on the other hand, hedge inflation and pay dividends. —Jim Osman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hegge, heyg "fence formed by a row of shrubs, bush, underbrush," going back to Old English *hecg "fence formed by shrubs, boundary fence," attested in dative hegge, hecge (also Old English hecge, weak feminine noun, in same sense), going back to Germanic *hagjō (whence also Middle Dutch hegghe "hedge," Old High German hegga "palisade," Middle High German hegge, hecke "hedge"), derivative of a base *hag- "enclosure formed by shrubs" — more at haw entry 1

Verb

Middle English heggen, hedgyn "to make a hedge, fence in with a hedge," derivative of hegge, heyg hedge entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of hedge entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing hedge

• hedge against
• hedge around/about
• hedge fund
• hedge in
• hedge one's bets

Kids Definition

hedge

1 of 2 noun

ˈhej 

1

: a boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees

2

: barrier sense 1, limit

hedge

2 of 2 verb

hedged; hedging

1

: to enclose or protect with or as if with a hedge

2

: to block with or as if with a barrier

hedged in by restrictions

3

: to avoid giving a direct or exact answer or promise

hedged when asked to support the campaign

hedger noun

Legal Definition

hedge

intransitive verb

ˈhej

hedged; hedging

: to reduce possible losses in speculative transactions by engaging in offsetting transactions (as futures trading)