# fence off

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fence-off
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to separate an area from the space around it by building a fence.

For teachers: to enclose or isolate a specific area of land using a fence; transitive verb often used to denote restriction of access or boundary definition.

## Examples

- The workers fence off the construction site for safety.
- The council decided to fence off the pond to prevent young children from falling in.
- After the discovery of rare orchids, the park rangers had to fence off the entire meadow to protect the delicate ecosystem from hikers.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They fenced the garden off from the street." but "They fenced off the garden from the street." — while 'fence off' can be separable, it is most commonly used in the 'verb + particle + object' pattern when the object is a noun phrase.

## Usage notes

- usually takes a physical area or piece of land as the object.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'wall off' or 'cordon off' (using tape/barriers); 'fence off' specifically implies a semi-permanent wooden or metal structure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.