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

Explanation

That yellow police tape and group of officers encircling the crime scene? That's a kind of cordon — something set up to guard something. A cordon can also mean some kind of ornament or adornment made out of ribbon or cord, usually worn by military folks to signify honor or rank. Not surprising since cordon sounds similar to cord and comes from the Old French word for the same thing. But unless you're part of a security team or often dressed in full military regalia, you probably won't come into contact with cordons very often.

Example Sentences

A police cordon was reduced on Sunday night and almost all residents were allowed to return home.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The tankers have been unable to breach a cordon of U.S. warships that have chased them all the way to the Indian Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Jamie George, an army veteran who lives on the edge of where the cordon was set up, said he was in his bathroom when the blast happened.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Devon and Cornwall Police said the centre of the cordon was at Flamborough Road, in the Southway area of Plymouth, Devon, after reports were received at about 14:30 BST.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

“Make way for the originals!” the marshals shouted, forming a cordon to hold back the other marchers and the press.

From "Because They Marched" by Russell Freedman

Related Words

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