fencer

American  

[fen-ser] / ˈfɛn sər /

noun

1. a person who practices the art of fencing with a sword, foil, etc.

2. a person who fences.

3. a horse trained to jump barriers, as for show or sport.

4. Australian. a person who builds or repairs fences.

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fencer British  

/ ˈfɛnsə /

noun

1. a person who fights with a sword, esp one who practises the art of fencing

2. a person who erects and repairs fences

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Etymology

Origin of fencer

First recorded in 1565–75; fence + -er ¹

Explanation

A fencer is someone who participates in the sport of fencing, or sword fighting. Fencers are among the athletes who compete in the Olympics every four years. If you become a fencer, you'll learn all the rules and strategy behind dueling with rapiers or swords. Fencers wear special gear, including protective jackets, short pants, gloves, and masks. The word fencer comes from the verb fence, "defend oneself," from the noun fence, "fortification," a shortened form of defense.

Example Sentences

For U.S. fencer Lee Kiefer, the defending gold medalist in women’s foil, the venue holds sentimental value.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

You also need to have “right of way” which, if you’re new to fencing, is a concept best left to the referee, who decides which fencer has attacking priority at any given time.

From BBC • Jul. 24, 2024

The fencer competed at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and at Tokyo in 2021.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

For several minutes the wasp circled him, flitting in and out with the agile prodding of a fencer.

From Scientific American • Sep. 29, 2023

Everybody was so dangerous, big, mean and muscular, and so what if he was the greatest fencer in the world, who’d know it to look at him?

From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman