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

That facility, now largely overgrown and covered with opaque fencing, still needs electricity after the destruction of its power lines and an on-site utility building.

From Los Angeles Times

Nearby are saplings, each young tree bordered by fencing to protect it.

From Literature

The photo showed children on padded floor mats with silver Mylar thermal blankets, walled in by chain-link fencing.

From Los Angeles Times

Sam Jones, representing NRW, said there had been significant investment, a new route and fencing put up since the deaths.

From BBC

Some animal rights organisations that oppose deer hunting instead advocate non-lethal methods of management, including darting deer with contraceptives, or building more or better fencing.

From BBC