Showing Results for "fencing"

See Also:

• present participle of fence.

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

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

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

The company told us about its upfront costs, which include artist fees, staging, power, fencing, security, medical provision, licensing, welfare, sanitation, transport, insurance, production, staffing and local suppliers.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Moscatelli uses government funding for public education programs, fencing, and signs encouraging human-capybara coexistence.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

In CPB’s Big Bend Sector project, for example, contractors were ultimately required to install cattle fencing and cattle guards — something Posillico’s lawsuit contends was not what the government originally asked of potential contractors.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

Even without the extra competitions, fencing was expensive, even at the high school level.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad