fenced

From the verb fence: (⇒ conjugate)

fenced is: ⓘ

v past

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fence /fɛns/   n., v., fenced, fenc•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a barrier enclosing or surrounding a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood.
2. Informal Terms a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods.

v. 

3. to enclose by a fence:
   [~ + object] to fence a farm.
4. to separate by or as if by a fence:
   [~ + (in/off/out) + object] to fence off a corner of a garden.
5. to sell (stolen goods) to a fence:
   [~ + object] The thieves weren't able to fence the stolen jewels.
6. Sport to practice the art or sport of fencing:
   [no object] The two swordsmen were fencing.

Idioms

7. Idioms on the fence, uncommitted;
   neutral;
   undecided:
   The party chairman stayed on the fence until the primaries were over.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fence  (fens), n., v., fenced, fenc•ing. 
n. 

1. a barrier enclosing or bordering a field, yard, etc., usually made of posts and wire or wood, used to prevent entrance, to confine, or to mark a boundary.
2. Informal Terms a person who receives and disposes of stolen goods.
3. the place of business of such a person.
4. Sport the act, practice, art, or sport of fencing.
5. skill in argument, repartee, etc.
6. Mechanical Engineering [Mach.] a guard or guide, as for regulating the movements of a tool or work.
7. Building [Carpentry.] a slotted guide used esp. with a framing square to lay out cuts on rafters and staircase strings.
8. [Archaic.] a means of defense;
   a bulwark.
9. Idioms mend one's fences, to strengthen or reestablish one's position by conciliation or negotiation:
   One could tell by his superficially deferential manner that he was trying to mend his fences.
10. Idioms on the fence, uncommitted;
    neutral;
    undecided:
    The party leaders are still on the fence.

v.t. 

11. to enclose by some barrier, establishing exclusive right to possession:
    to fence a farm.
12. to separate by or as by a fence or fences (often fol. by in, off, out, etc.):
    to fence off a corner of one's yard; to fence out unwholesome influences.
13. to defend;
    protect;
    guard:
    The president was fenced by bodyguards wherever he went.
14. to ward off;
    keep out.
15. Informal Terms to sell (stolen goods) to a fence.
16. Nautical, Naval Terms to reinforce (an opening in a sail or the like) by sewing on a grommet or other device.

v.i. 

17. Sport to practice the art or sport of fencing.
18. to parry arguments;
    strive to avoid giving direct answers;
    hedge:
    The mayor fenced when asked if he would run again.
19. (of a horse) to leap over a fence.
20. [Obs.] to raise a defense.

• Middle English fens, aphetic for defens defense 1300–50

fence′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fence / fɛns/ noun

1. a structure that serves to enclose an area such as a garden or field, usually made of posts of timber, concrete, or metal connected by wire, netting, rails, or boards
2. a dealer in stolen property
3. an obstacle for a horse to jump in steeplechasing or showjumping
4. a guard or guide, esp in a circular saw or plane
5. on the fence ⇒ unable or unwilling to commit oneself

verb

1. (transitive) to construct a fence on or around (a piece of land, etc)
2. (tr; followed by in or off) to close (in) or separate (off) with or as if with a fence: he fenced in the livestock
3. (intransitive) to fight using swords or foils
4. (intransitive) to evade a question or argument, esp by quibbling over minor points
5. (intransitive) to engage in skilful or witty debate, repartee, etc

Etymology: 14th Century fens, shortened from defens defence

ˈfenceless adjective