Word
cordon
Phoneticscor·don, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɔɹdən/
UK/kˈɔːdən/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a line of police officers, soldiers, or tape that stops people from entering an area. It is usually set up for safety or to protect a crime scene.
n. a line of people or objects stationed around an area to enclose or guard it. Often used in the context of security, law enforcement, or military operations to restrict access.
Examples
“The police formed a cordon around the building.”
“After the gas leak was reported, authorities established a strict cordon to keep residents at a safe distance.”
“The security forces maintained a tight cordon around the embassy throughout the night to prevent protesters from breaching the perimeter during the high-profile summit.”
Examples
simple
“The police formed a cordon around the building.”
contextual
“After the gas leak was reported, authorities established a strict cordon to keep residents at a safe distance.”
complex
“The security forces maintained a tight cordon around the embassy throughout the night to prevent protesters from breaching the perimeter during the high-profile summit.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'form', 'establish', or 'break through'.
Real-World Examples
“Police cordoned off a wide area around the school as part of their response.” “Forensic teams have cordoned off a large area around the property and suburb as technical examinations are carried out.” “Officials said on Sunday there were no open flames and crews had established a cleared cordon around the affected area to prevent the fire from spreading.” Etymology
From Middle English cordon, from Middle French cordon, from Old French cordon, diminutive of corde. More at cord.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cordon