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
4
a
: a receiver of stolen goods
b
: a place where stolen goods are bought
fencelessness
noun
fenced; fencing
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
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
Synonyms
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
Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
The legal challenge focuses on two areas in California: one between two border fences in San Diego and another in a remote mountainous region east of San Diego.
—arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Trailing by two runs in the eighth inning with the bases loaded, Ruth smashed a three-run homer over the center-field fence — his second blast of the game to match Gehrig’s two blasts.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
The men involved cut the locks off railroad cars and cut holes in fences around the warehouses to gain unlawful access and carry out the crimes, according to the indictment.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The bodycam video shows a man in the back yard grabbing the peacock, which was cornered into the fence.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Powerful saws with precision alignment fence Prices taken from company websites, excluding shipping.
—Ben Blatt, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Both were struck by gunfire, but the woman was able to run away and hop a fence to avoid being killed.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Another image shows a woman slumped over a wooden fence, wracked with grief at being separated from her mother.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
Patrick Smith, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Highlights include a stylish living room displaying an oversized wood-burning brick fireplace with a floating hearth, plus sliding glass doors spilling out to a fenced wraparound deck overlooking the Pacific.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
In addition to her Olympic medals, Ms. Camber won a world fencing championship in Brussels in 1953 and a team world championship in Paris in 1957, according to the European Fencing Confederation.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
William Workman installed a cemetery east of the family house in the present City of Industry, walled it in brick and fenced it in iron rails.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
The fire department also planned to put up fencing around the building.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024
Nearly three decades have passed since the Miami Heat pitched voters a waterfront park on Biscayne Bay, only to fence in the public land year after year when the team uses it for parking spaces.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024
Illusion and safety If your garden is fenced or walled and seems small, frame it to create a doorway with 1-by-4 lumber and paint.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024
The land around the property remains fenced in and monitored by CCTV cameras and motion sensors mounted on a fence and overlooking stretches of barbed wire.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2024
Noun
On Thursday afternoon, stray cats stalked a weedy patch at the back of the property, which is separated from the GardaWorld building by fences, unkempt foliage and a line of trees.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
The legal challenge focuses on two areas in California: one between two border fences in San Diego and another in a remote mountainous region east of San Diego.
—arkansasonline.com, 5 Apr. 2024
Trailing by two runs in the eighth inning with the bases loaded, Ruth smashed a three-run homer over the center-field fence — his second blast of the game to match Gehrig’s two blasts.
—Joe Davidson, Sacramento Bee, 4 Apr. 2024
The men involved cut the locks off railroad cars and cut holes in fences around the warehouses to gain unlawful access and carry out the crimes, according to the indictment.
—Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The bodycam video shows a man in the back yard grabbing the peacock, which was cornered into the fence.
—Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024
Powerful saws with precision alignment fence Prices taken from company websites, excluding shipping.
—Ben Blatt, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Both were struck by gunfire, but the woman was able to run away and hop a fence to avoid being killed.
—Jakob Rodgers, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024
Another image shows a woman slumped over a wooden fence, wracked with grief at being separated from her mother.
—Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
The property was fenced off, and authorities continued to scour a 2-mile radius for debris, officials said.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 13 Mar. 2024
Highlights include a stylish living room displaying an oversized wood-burning brick fireplace with a floating hearth, plus sliding glass doors spilling out to a fenced wraparound deck overlooking the Pacific.
—Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024
In addition to her Olympic medals, Ms. Camber won a world fencing championship in Brussels in 1953 and a team world championship in Paris in 1957, according to the European Fencing Confederation.
—Emily Langer, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024
William Workman installed a cemetery east of the family house in the present City of Industry, walled it in brick and fenced it in iron rails.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024
The fire department also planned to put up fencing around the building.
—Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 21 Feb. 2024
Nearly three decades have passed since the Miami Heat pitched voters a waterfront park on Biscayne Bay, only to fence in the public land year after year when the team uses it for parking spaces.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 12 Feb. 2024
Illusion and safety If your garden is fenced or walled and seems small, frame it to create a doorway with 1-by-4 lumber and paint.
—Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024
The land around the property remains fenced in and monitored by CCTV cameras and motion sensors mounted on a fence and overlooking stretches of barbed wire.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2024
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.
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of fence was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing fence
Dictionary Entries Near fence
Cite this Entry
“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
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 noun1
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on fence
Nglish: Translation of fence for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of fence for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fence
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