fence

1 of 2

noun

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
fenceless adjective
fencelessness noun

fence

2 of 2

verb

fenced; fencing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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
Phrases
on the fence
: in a position of neutrality or indecision

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The man ran northwest and jumped fences, witnesses told police. Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024 Just past his backyard fence, gray billows of smoke filled the sky above the ridgeline and flames could be seen chewing through sagebrush just a couple miles away. Katie Langford, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
Verb
Rooms: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms Amenities: Washer/dryer, Marshall sound system, fenced backyard with dining area and sun loungers, free parking. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024 There is fencing around the perimeter of the building and a much stronger law enforcement presence once election night hits. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 16 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fence 

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

Dictionary Entries Near fence

Cite this Entry

“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fence. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fence

1 of 2 noun
1
: a barrier (as of wood or wire) to prevent escape or entry or to mark a boundary
2
: a person who receives stolen goods
fenceless adjective

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 noun
1
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!