fence
n. countablen. a structure made of wood, wire, or metal that surrounds a piece of land. You use it to keep animals in or to keep other people out.
n. a barrier or railing, typically of wood or wire, enclosing an area of ground to mark a boundary or prevent access.
The farmer built a high wooden fence around the field.
Our neighbors decided to paint their side of the fence white to match their garden furniture.
While a low stone wall might serve as a decorative boundary, a chain-link fence is often necessary to provide the security required for industrial sites.
From Middle English fence, fens, short for defence, defens (“the act of defending”), from Old French defens, defense (see defence). The sense "enclosure" arises in the mid 15th century. Also from the 15th century is use as a verb in the sense "to enclose with a fence". The generalized sense "to defend, screen, protect" arises ca. 1500. The sense "to fight with swords (rapiers)" is from the 1590s (Shakespeare). Displaced native Old English heġe (compare Modern English hedge).
Commonly used with the verbs 'build', 'climb', or 'jump'.
- 01
fence in
To restrict freedom.
- 02
fence the tables
To make a solemn address to those who present themselves to commune at the Lord's Supper, on the feelings appropriate to the service, in order to hinder, so far as possible, those who are unworthy from approaching the table.
- 03
homely as a hedge fence
Having no physically attractive characteristics, but not blatantly ugly; very plain in appearance.