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
see also:
1
: being without enclosure
the fenceless prairies of the old West
2
archaic
: being without defense
marked his fenceless dwelling for their wrath—
C. G. D. Roberts
C. G. D. Roberts
fencelessness
noun
plural -es
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Grindlinger, batting second in the order, blasted a fastball over the right-field fence for his first-inning home run that followed leadoff batter Parker Leoff who was hit by a pitch for the early 2-0 lead.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
The hosts threatened again in the sixth with a pair of walks, but Nagashima made a leaping catch at the fence in center field on a deep drive by Perry for the second out of the inning and Banuelos fanned the next batter.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
The creations Brown makes are permanent, intended to be part of outdoor architecture of the property, such as hand railings atop a natural fence of wood, gazebos and pergolas and gates.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fence
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Noun
The car crashed into a fence, then smashed into the house’s front porch and came to rest in a vertical position on the steps, according to authorities and video from the scene.
—Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Grindlinger, batting second in the order, blasted a fastball over the right-field fence for his first-inning home run that followed leadoff batter Parker Leoff who was hit by a pitch for the early 2-0 lead.
—Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
The hosts threatened again in the sixth with a pair of walks, but Nagashima made a leaping catch at the fence in center field on a deep drive by Perry for the second out of the inning and Banuelos fanned the next batter.
—Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
The creations Brown makes are permanent, intended to be part of outdoor architecture of the property, such as hand railings atop a natural fence of wood, gazebos and pergolas and gates.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for fence
Cite this Entry
“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fence. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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