fencing

American  

[fen-sing] / ˈfɛn sɪŋ /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of fencing

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

Example Sentences

The UWA said a secure rhino sanctuary outfitted with perimeter fencing, access roads, firebreaks, ranger facilities, water systems and monitoring technology was in place to ensure the animals are effectively protected and managed.

From BBC

They were the kind you use to fix wire fencing, though none of their fences looked fixed.

From Literature

The SEA Games drew thousands of athletes from across the region to Thailand for competition in events ranging from football and fencing to skateboarding and combat sports.

From Barron's

Now the 25-year-old sits in a Ukrainian POW camp, his optimism replaced by barbed-wire fencing and snow-covered countryside that is unlike anything he grew up with in Senegal.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since early February, the 37-year-old has spent more than 40 hours cutting hair ties, tissues and receipts off the fencing—through the dead of winter, with no official mandate and no pay.

From The Wall Street Journal