fence

1 of 2

noun

ˈfen(t)s

often attributive

Synonyms of fence next

archaic : a means of protection : defense

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

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

: an immaterial barrier or boundary line

on the other side of the fence in the argument

: fencing sense 1

: a receiver of stolen goods

: a place where stolen goods are bought

fenceless

ˈfen(t)s-ləs

adjective

fencelessness noun

fence

2 of 2

verb

fenced; fencing

transitive verb

: to enclose with a fence

b(1)

: to keep in or out with a fence

(2)

: to ward off

: to provide a defense for

: to sell (stolen property) to a fence

intransitive verb

: to practice fencing

b(1)

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

(2)

: to parry arguments by shifting ground

archaic : to provide protection

fencer noun

Phrases

on the fence

: in a position of neutrality or indecision

Example Sentences

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

Local activists are protesting a federal construction project of two new replacement fences. —

Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 May 2023 Then, Newgarden climbed the fence to mimic longtime Team Penske driver and four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves. —

Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2023 Another concern sometimes raised is that the holes dug for fence posts will accelerate the bluff’s erosion. —

Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2023 Or, more ambitiously, commission a bigger art project that paints 10 to 15 fences around the area featuring one of the top prospects? —

Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 23 May 2023 Likewise, there’s no more effective tool at bridges than suicide-prevention fences. —

Hanna Krueger, BostonGlobe.com, 17 May 2023 The next day, a crowd of over a dozen people broke through the compound fence and speared all six lions. —

Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 15 May 2023 Having had an 18-game winning streak snapped with a 10-0 loss to Smithson Valley on Thursday night at Marion High, the Bobcats then immediately fell behind in Game 2 of their series Friday night after Smithson Valley's Abby Brand led off the game with a solo homer over the right-field fence. —

Joseph Myers, San Antonio Express-News, 13 May 2023 Several messages and drawings attached to a fence near the school paid tribute to him. —

Constant Méheut Vladimir Zivojinovic, New York Times, 4 May 2023

Verb

Despite the ambitious revamp, a few lots along the Buena Park strip remain fenced off and undeveloped. —

Gabriel San Román, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2023 Josh Coleman, the president of Central Alabama Pride, says the group has spent an unprecedented $7,000 to fence in the festival in Birmingham, $3,000 on private security, and $7,000 on city police. —

Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2023 Without assisted irrigation, in an area of 13 square miles fenced off from grazing camels and sheep, Mr. Saoub has managed to plant 200,000 trees in 15 years, transforming the dusty area into green cover as thick as 150 trees per acre. —

Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 May 2023 Finally, fencing on the property will also be replaced. —

Rebecca Dobrinski, al, 28 Mar. 2023 Expenses for everything from fencing to audio gear to insurance have risen significantly across the concert industry. —

Brian Mccollum, Detroit Free Press, 28 Feb. 2023 Officials this week fenced off a large stretch of a popular Hawaiian tourist destination to deter curious sightseers from getting too close to an endangered seal and her days-old pup. —

Camille Fine, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2023 Named for Portland’s first mayor, Hugh O’Bryant, it’s been fenced off since 2018 as the city put together plans to carefully fill the garage, work finally due to begin as soon as next month. —

oregonlive, 29 Mar. 2023 On a sill, line up small potted plants or flowering bulbs, then fence them in with wire garden-bed edging, either propped on the sill or stapled to its underside. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.