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
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
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 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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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
Dictionary Entries Near fence
Cite this Entry
“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fence. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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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