cordon

American  

[kawr-dn] / ˈkɔr dn /

noun

1. a line of police, sentinels, military posts, warships, etc., enclosing or guarding an area.

2. a cord or braid worn for ornament or as a fastening.

3. a ribbon worn usually diagonally across the breast as a badge of a knightly or honorary order.

4. Fortification.

   1. a projecting course of stones at the base of a parapet.

   2. the coping of a scarp.

5. Architecture.

   1. a stringcourse, especially one having little or no projection.

   2. a cut-stone riser on a stepped ramp or the like.

6. a fruit tree or shrub trained to grow along a support or a series of such supports.

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verb (used with object)

1. to surround or blockade with or as with a cordon (usually followed byoff ).

   The police cordoned off the street.

cordon British  

/ ˈkɔːdən /

noun

1. a chain of police, soldiers, ships, etc, stationed around an area

2. a ribbon worn as insignia of honour or rank

3. a cord or ribbon worn as an ornament or fastening

4. Also called: string course.   belt course.   table.  architect an ornamental projecting band or continuous moulding along a wall

5. horticulture a form of fruit tree consisting of a single stem bearing fruiting spurs, produced by cutting back all lateral branches

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verb

1. to put or form a cordon (around); close (off)

Etymology

Origin of cordon

1400–50; Middle English < Middle French, diminutive of corde

Example Sentences

Tributes were placed near the scene on Sunday, including flowers and a toy animal, after the cordon was lifted.

From BBC

A police cordon has since been lifted and flowers and a toy animal were left near the Peabody Estate building on Sunday morning.

From BBC

By Monday crowds of people had gathered at the edges of the cordons around the Union Corner site.

From BBC

People standing watching at the police cordon spoke of their shock.

From BBC

Large crowds gathered at the edge of cordons on Renfield Street and Gordon Street to watch the fire, as emergency services urged people to stay away.

From BBC

Related Words

• identification
• insignia
• marker
• medallion
• pin
• ribbon
• stamp
• symbol
• token