Return to the home page.

Expand/collapse menu.

Visit Our Sites

Unabridged Dictionary

Learner's Dictionary

Word Central for Kids

Collegiate Dictionary

Expand/collapse menu.

Premium Services

Unabridged Dictionary

Collegiate Dictionary

Encyclopedia Britannica

Institutional Subscriptions

Expand/collapse menu.

Expand/collapse menu.

Word of the Day

Subscriber Help

Expand/collapse menu.

More Word Games

Daily Crosswords

Expand/collapse menu.

Open Dictionary

Alphabetical Browse

Browse Categories

Submit an Entry

Expand/collapse menu.

Spelling Bee Hive

Hive Headquarters

Spelling Champion

Spelling Reform

Expand/collapse menu.

Word for the Wise

Today's Broadcast

Expand/collapse menu.

Books and CD-Roms

Online Services

Palm and Pocket PC

Expand/collapse menu.

Looking Up a Word

Citing the Dictionary

Audio Pronunciations

Word Games Help

Expand/collapse menu.

Merriam-Webster FAQ

Advertising Info

Copyright Notice

Also Visit:
Unabridged
Visual

ESL:
Learner's
for Kids:
Word Central
Spell It!

fence

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

Fence

Main Entry:: ¹fence
Pronunciation:: \ˈfen(t)s\
Function:: noun
Usage:: often attributive
Etymology:: Middle English fens, short for defens defense
Date:: 14th century

1archaic : a means of protection : defense2 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: fencing 14 a: a receiver of stolen goods b: a place where stolen goods are bought

— fence·less

Listen to the pronunciation of fenceless

\-ləs\ adjective

— fence·less·ness noun

— on the fence

: in a position of neutrality or indecision

Learn more about "fence" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "fence" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols