Showing results for "fencing"

• present participle of fence.

fencing

American  

[fen-sing] / ˈfɛn sɪŋ /

noun

fencings plural

1. the art, practice, or sport in which an épée, foil, or saber is used for defense and attack.

2. a parrying of arguments; avoidance of direct answers.

   political fencing on important issues.

3. an enclosure or railing.

4. fences collectively.

5. material for fences.

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fencing British  

/ ˈfɛnsɪŋ /

noun

1. the practice, art, or sport of fighting with swords, esp the sport of using foils, épées, or sabres under a set of rules to score points

2. 1. wire, stakes, etc, used as fences

   2. fences collectively

3. skilful or witty debate

4. the avoidance of direct answers; evasiveness

5. slang the business of buying and selling stolen property

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• fencings
  plural

Etymology

Origin of fencing

1425–75; late Middle English fensing safeguarding, maintenance. See fence, -ing ¹

Explanation

Fencing is a structure that encloses a yard or area, like the fencing that keeps your dog confined. Another kind of fencing is a sport with long pointy foils that has been popular with Hamlet, Holden Caulfield, and lots of other fancy kids. You might buy enough fencing to close in your whole back yard — it could be made of wood, metal, or even plastic, and this material can also be called fencing. A completely different kind of fencing is the sport that involves combat with sword-like weapons. Fencing started as military training and a way of settling disputes, but it grew into a sport during the 18th century, and is now even included in the Olympics.

Example Sentences

Although the fencing and construction vehicles vanished after the clashes, protests have swelled into nightly gatherings of thousands, despite assurances from Rama that the development has yet to be approved.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The Zvërnec project is still in the planning phase—the fencing and razor wire have come down—and the developers are working on an environmental-impact statement for authorities to review.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

Neil Puttick moved to Leamington a few years ago and had some fencing that needed fixing, so borrowed a nail gun.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

On May 23, William Applegate, 31, was apprehended by Carpenter’s security and police after he made his way onto a neighbor’s property to breach the pop singer’s security fencing, the documents say.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Here I’d been so thankful that Uncle Chester had laid in the fencing supplies.

From "Hattie Big Sky" by Kirby Larson