often attributive
1
archaic
: a means of protection : defense
2
a
: a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary
especially
: such a barrier made of posts and wire or boards
b
: an immaterial barrier or boundary line
on the other side of the fence in the argument
3
4
a
: a receiver of stolen goods
b
: a place where stolen goods are bought
fencelessness
noun
fenced; fencing
1
a
: to enclose with a fence
b(1)
: to keep in or out with a fence
(2)
: to ward off
2
: to provide a defense for
3
: to sell (stolen property) to a fence
1
a
: to practice fencing
b(1)
: to use tactics of attack and defense resembling those of fencing
(2)
: to parry arguments by shifting ground
2
archaic
: to provide protection
fencer
noun
Synonyms
Examples of fence in a Sentence
Noun
We put up a fence around our yard.
the only way to prevent motorists from trying to use that unsafe bridge is to put a fence across the road leading to it
Verb
a house with a fenced-in yard
He stole watches and fenced them on the street.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
Many responses argued the neighbors should’ve stayed on their side of the fence while advising the pet owner to set up cameras in her yard.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
With either option, Arnold said, an alley behind the center would be completely fenced off and the park lights would be LED and be on a timer system to prevent light pollution late at night.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fence 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Ruth Couch was one of dozens of volunteers who spent Martin Luther King Jr. weekend painting wooden panels that will become pieces of the site fence.
—Sierra Lopez, The Mercury News, 3 Feb. 2025
Many responses argued the neighbors should’ve stayed on their side of the fence while advising the pet owner to set up cameras in her yard.
—Latoya Gayle, People.com, 2 Feb. 2025
Verb
Savile Row tailor Richard Anderson also sees value in keeping exotic patterns fenced in, so to speak.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2025
With either option, Arnold said, an alley behind the center would be completely fenced off and the park lights would be LED and be on a timer system to prevent light pollution late at night.
—Jesse Wright, Chicago Tribune, 28 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fence
Dictionary Entries Near fence
Cite this Entry
“Fence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fence. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fence
2 of 2 verb
fenced; fencing
1
a
: to enclose with a fence
b
: to keep in or out with a fence
2
: to practice fencing
3
: to sell (stolen property) to a fence
fencer
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share