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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Damage was caused to a fence and a door, but the men were not able to get inside, according to a news release from police. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 24 Oct. 2024 In the space of a few spring days, hundreds of immigrants surged over and around the border fence. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
There is no confirmation yet on whether the pool was fenced in. Karen Bartunek, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024 So, Madame Pommery devised the clever idea of giving visitors fencing masks to protect themselves from such incidences. Cathrine Todd, Forbes, 14 Sep. 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 7 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
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