English Reference

Word

fender

Phoneticsfend·er, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈfɛndɝ/

UK/fˈɛndɐ/

Definitions

01car body panel

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. the part of a car that covers the wheels to protect the body from mud and stones.

n. the part of an automobile body that encloses the wheel well, specifically designed to contain road debris and protect the vehicle's structure.

“The car had a small dent in the front fender after the minor accident.”

“The collision resulted in significant damage to the front left fender, requiring a full replacement of the panel and the headlight assembly.”

Pitfall

I need to fix the wing of my American car.

I need to fix the fender of my American car.

In American English, use 'fender'; in British English, the equivalent part is usually called a 'wing'.

Synonyms

wingmudguard

02nautical buffer

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a cushion or soft object hung over the side of a boat to prevent it from hitting a dock.

n. a cushion-like device, typically made of rubber or plastic, suspended from a vessel to absorb impact and prevent damage when mooring.

“Make sure to put the fenders out before we reach the dock.”

“The crew deployed several large cylindrical fenders along the starboard side to protect the hull while passing through the narrow lock.”

Synonyms

03bicycle mudguard

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. a curved piece of metal or plastic over a bicycle wheel that stops mud from splashing you.

n. a guard over the wheel of a bicycle or motorcycle intended to deflect water and mud spray.

“I installed new fenders on my bike so I wouldn't get dirty riding in the rain.”

“Commuter bicycles often feature full-length fenders to ensure the rider remains dry during inclement weather.”

Synonyms

mudguard

04fireplace guard

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal

n. a low metal frame placed in front of a fireplace to stop hot coals from falling onto the floor.

n. a low metal frame or screen placed on the hearth in front of a fireplace to contain embers and ash.

“The antique brass fender looked beautiful in front of the roaring fire.”

“The Victorian drawing room featured an ornate cast-iron fender designed to prevent stray sparks from damaging the expensive rug.”

Synonyms

hearth guardfireguard

05brand of guitar

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Music Informal

n. a famous brand of electric guitars and amplifiers.

n. a proprietary name for instruments produced by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, often used as a common noun for the guitars themselves.

“He has played a sunburst Fender for his entire professional career.”

“The lead guitarist preferred the bright, twangy tone of his vintage Fender over the heavier sound of other solid-body electrics.”

Real-World Examples

“For scratches or minor dings from fender benders, owners can replace the exterior body panels themselves.”
Ars Technica 20 Oct 2026
“Its oh-so-cute face bucks the ever-growing trend of trucks and SUVs looking imposing and aggressive, and the body has wide fenders and clean surfacing.”
The Verge 22 Apr 2023

Etymology

From fend + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

fender(C2)

Domain

Nautical

This entry

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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C2 · Proficiency
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/fender

English Reference