Fence

/fɛns/ · noun

Meaning

A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc..

Definitions by Sense

1. A thin artificial barrier that separates two pieces of land or forms a perimeter enclosing the lands of a house, building, etc.
2. (informal) Someone who hides or buys and sells stolen goods, a criminal middleman for transactions of stolen goods.
3. (by extension) The place whence such a middleman operates.
4. Skill in oral debate.
5. (obsolete, uncountable) The art or practice of fencing.
6. A guard or guide on machinery.
7. (figuratively) A barrier, for example an emotional barrier.
8. (Jewish law) A prohibition enacted to prevent violation of another more primary rule.

Example Sentences

There was a weak place in the fence separating the two inclosures

From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. Those entering it are greeted by wire fences, walls dating back to colonial times and security posts. For mariners leaving the port after lonely nights on the high seas, the delights of the B52 Night Club and Stallion Pub lie a stumble away.

The Bat—they called him the Bat.[…]. He'd never been in stir, the bulls had never mugged him, he didn't run with a mob, he played a lone hand, and fenced his stuff so that even the fence couldn't swear he knew his face.

The Finn was a fence, a trafficker in stolen goods, primarily in software. In the course of this business, he sometimes came into contact with other fences, some of whom dealt in the more traditional articles of the trade.

I bruised my shin th' other day with playing at sword and dagger with a master of fence

I was in your arms Thinking I belonged there I figured it made sense Building me a fence

For quite other reasons Jewish religious authorities, too, restricted the size of the orchestra. They sought to erect a "fence" against hilarity and gaiety, out of respect for their ever remembered "Destruction."

[…] pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cote fenc’d about with olive trees?

Synonyms for fence

Antonyms for fence

Related Words

Word Forms

• fences
• fencing
• fenced

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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