noun
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a person who fights with a sword, esp one who practises the art of fencing
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a person who erects and repairs fences
Etymology
Origin of fencer
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Saber fencer Eli Dershwitz is among the many United States athletes that struggle to keep up with rising costs associated with being an Olympic athlete.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 26, 2025
Wheelchair fencer Andrii Demchuk crossed the border to Poland with his wife and two children after the invasion.
From BBC • Aug. 28, 2024
Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has revealed she competed at the Paris Olympics on Monday while seven months pregnant.
From BBC • Jul. 29, 2024
Chaves’ coach, Eduardo Nunes, says the fencer will face trouble beyond the mental stress and the unexpectedly long trip in his attempt to qualify for the Paralympics.
From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024
In a lot of ways, I was more prepared to fence Mariel than any other fencer I’d seen that day.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
