noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

cordon

KAW-duhn

Cordon (noun) means a line of people, vehicles, or barriers set up to prevent access to or from an area. Example: “Police set up a cordon around the crash site.”

noun

A line of people, vehicles, or barriers set up to prevent access to or from an area.

"Police set up a cordon around the crash site."

A ribbon, often worn diagonally across the chest, given as an honour or badge of rank.

"The ambassador wore the ceremonial cordon at the state dinner."

verb

To seal off an area with a protective line or barrier (usually "cordon off").

"Firefighters cordoned off the street after the gas leak."

How to use cordon

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA barrier line set up to keep people out of (or in) an area, or a ceremonial sash.

Common pairings

police cordon cordon off security cordon

Word forms

cordoned past tense, cordons plural, Cordons plural, cordons singular

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Police set up a _____ around the crash site.

Etymology

From Middle French cordon, a diminutive of corde ("cord"), reflecting the original idea of a rope or ribbon marking a boundary.

Origin: Middle French

Rhymes for cordon

Gordon

See all rhymes for cordon →

Frequently asked questions

What does “cordon” mean?

The word “cordon” means a line of people, vehicles, or barriers set up to prevent access to or from an area. In plain terms, a barrier line set up to keep people out of (or in) an area, or a ceremonial sash.

How do you pronounce “cordon”?

“Cordon” is pronounced KAW-duhn (/ˈkɔː(ɹ)dən/ in IPA).

How do you use “cordon” in a sentence?

Here is “cordon” used in a sentence: “Police set up a cordon around the crash site.”

What part of speech is “cordon”?

Depending on how it is used, “cordon” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “cordon” come from?

The word “cordon” comes from Middle French. From Middle French cordon, a diminutive of corde ("cord"), reflecting the original idea of a rope or ribbon marking a boundary.

Is “cordon” a common word?

“Cordon” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “cordon” have?

“Cordon” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a line of people, vehicles, or barriers set up to prevent access to or from an area.