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

Thousands of people are spending another night away from their homes as cordons remain in place in Exmouth and Plymouth - where separate unexploded World War Two bombs were discovered on Wednesday.

From BBC

Crowds have gathered on Moor Street South and on Lower Villiers Street, where the police cordon on to Upper Villiers Street starts in both places.

From BBC

A cordon was put in place around the part-demolished building and an excavator machine, sitting on top of a pile of rubble.

From BBC

On Friday, police pulled back a cordon around the bar, allowing passersby to see it up close.

From The Wall Street Journal

A large cordon is in place along the seafront and the operation involves more than 100 members of the emergency services.

From BBC

Related Words

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