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palisade

noun
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pal·​i·​sade | \ ˌpa-lə-ˈsād How to pronounce palisade (audio) \

Definition of palisade

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a fence of stakes especially for defense
b : a long strong stake pointed at the top and set close with others as a defense
2 : a line of bold cliffs

palisade

verb
palisaded; palisading

Definition of palisade (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to fortify with palisades
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Synonyms for palisade

Synonyms: Noun

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Did you know?

Palisade comes from Latin palus, meaning "stake." The word originally applied to one of a series of stakes set in a row to form an enclosure or fortification. In time, its meaning was extended to a fence of stakes and, by association, to stretches of steep cliffs bordering a river.

Examples of palisade in a Sentence

Noun the palisades that line the west bank of the Hudson River for about 15 miles
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Foreman said there’s not a more appropriate boundary for the Alamo to interpret than the palisade, which links the mission era to both sides of the war between Texas and Mexico. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Dec. 2021 That’s why Travis assigned Crockett to the palisade, Foreman said. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Dec. 2021 According to Davis, Alamo commander William Barret Travis may have stationed Crockett and other Tennessee volunteers at the palisade. — Scott Huddleston, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Dec. 2021 It was surrounded by a palisade of wooden posts that eventually decayed, leading the mound to collapse. — Isis Davis-marks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Aug. 2021 Somewhere, out there, beyond the immediate palisade, the fighting continues. — Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2021 Somewhere, out there, beyond the immediate palisade, the fighting continues. — Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2021 Somewhere, out there, beyond the immediate palisade, the fighting continues. — Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2021 Somewhere, out there, beyond the immediate palisade, the fighting continues. — Alan Cowell, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'palisade.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of palisade

Noun

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1632, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for palisade

Noun

French palissade, ultimately from Latin palus stake — more at pole

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Time Traveler for palisade

Time Traveler

The first known use of palisade was in 1588

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Dictionary Entries Near palisade

Palinurus

palisade

palisade cell

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Cite this Entry

“Palisade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/palisade. Accessed 19 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for palisade

palisade

noun
pal·​i·​sade | \ ˌpa-lə-ˈsād How to pronounce palisade (audio) \

Kids Definition of palisade

1 : a fence made of poles to protect against attack
2 : a line of steep cliffs

More from Merriam-Webster on palisade

Nglish: Translation of palisade for Spanish Speakers

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