# fencing

/ˈfɛnsɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈɛnsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fencing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the sport

noun · CEFR B1

a sport where two people fight each other with long, thin swords.

For teachers: the combat sport of duelling with light swords, such as the foil, épée, or sabre, where points are scored through contact.

- She joined the fencing club at her university to improve her coordination.
- The Olympic fencing final was a display of incredible speed and precision, with both athletes demonstrating mastery of the foil.

### 2. barrier materials

noun · CEFR B2

the materials, like wood or wire, used to build a fence around an area.

For teachers: the collective material or structure used to form a boundary or enclosure.

- The farmer bought new wire fencing to keep the sheep in the field.
- The contractor recommended high-grade steel fencing to secure the perimeter of the industrial site against intruders.

### 3. trading stolen goods

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

the illegal business of buying and selling stolen things.

For teachers: the criminal activity of receiving and selling stolen property.

- The police arrested him for fencing stolen jewelry out of his back office.
- The investigation revealed a sophisticated fencing operation that moved stolen electronics across state lines within hours of the thefts.

## Examples

- She practices fencing every Tuesday evening.
- The local club offers fencing lessons for beginners who want to improve their coordination.
- Although fencing appears graceful and controlled, it demands explosive speed and split-second tactical decisions from its competitors.

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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.