fence
Fence (noun) means a barrier, usually made of wood, metal, or wire, marking a boundary or enclosing an area. Example: “They put up a wooden fence around the garden.”
How to Use Fence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a physical barrier around property; also a criminal who trades in stolen goods, or the sport of sword-fighting.
Word Forms
fenced past tense, fences plural, fences singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They put up a wooden _____ around the garden.
Etymology
A shortening of Middle English "defence" — a fence is, at root, simply a thing that defends or encloses.
Related Words
Rhymes for fence
See all rhymes for fence →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “fence” mean?
The word “fence” means a barrier, usually made of wood, metal, or wire, marking a boundary or enclosing an area. In plain terms, most often a physical barrier around property; also a criminal who trades in stolen goods, or the sport of sword-fighting.
How do you pronounce “fence”?
“Fence” is pronounced fehns (/fɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “fence” in a sentence?
Here is “fence” used in a sentence: “They put up a wooden fence around the garden.”
What part of speech is “fence”?
Depending on how it is used, “fence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “fence” come from?
The word “fence” comes from Middle English. A shortening of Middle English "defence" — a fence is, at root, simply a thing that defends or encloses.
Is “fence” a common word?
“Fence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “fence” have?
“Fence” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a barrier, usually made of wood, metal, or wire, marking a boundary or enclosing an area.
What is the difference between a "fence" and a "wall"?
A fence is usually a lighter barrier of wood, metal, or wire that marks a boundary or encloses an area, while a wall is a solid, continuous structure of brick, stone, or concrete. Fences are often partly see-through, whereas walls are solid.
What is the difference between a "fence" and a "hedge"?
A fence is a constructed barrier of wood, metal, or wire, while a hedge is a living boundary formed by closely planted shrubs or bushes. Both mark or enclose an area, but a hedge is made of plants.