fender

American  

[fen-der] / ˈfɛn dər /

noun

1. the pressed and formed sheet-metal part mounted over the road wheels of an automobile, bicycle, etc., to reduce the splashing of mud, water, and the like.

2. a device on the front of a locomotive, streetcar, or the like, for clearing the track of obstructions.

3. a mudguard or splashboard on a horse-drawn vehicle.

4. Nautical. a piece of timber, bundle of rope, or the like, hung over the side of a vessel to lessen shock or prevent chafing, as between the vessel and a dock or another vessel.

5. a low metal guard before an open fireplace, to keep back falling coals.

6. a person or thing that wards something off.

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fender ¹ British  

/ ˈfɛndə /

noun

1. a low metal frame which confines falling coals to the hearth

2. a metal frame fitted to the front of locomotives to absorb shock, clear the track, etc

3. a cushion-like device, such as a car tyre hung over the side of a vessel to reduce damage resulting from accidental contact or collision

4. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): wing.  the part of a car body that surrounds the wheels

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Fender ² British  

/ ˈfɛndə /

noun

1. a type of solid-body electric guitar

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Other Word Forms

• fendered adjective

Etymology

Origin of fender

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English fendour, aphetic variant of defendour defender ( def. )

Example Sentences

And this latest fender bender might be the one that finally illuminates dashboard warning lights for those bosses who have always so hastily turned to Woods in the past.

From BBC

Chief Executive Mary Barra’s first job as a co-op student was inspecting Pontiac hoods and fenders.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some little boy is thinking about a fender bender his mom was in, and remembering it makes him scared all over again.

From Literature

The damage included shooting down one of our own fighter jets and a carrier fender bender with a civilian ship.

From The Wall Street Journal

One car’s wheels have been removed; another sports a mangled fender.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bumper