razor wire

American  

noun

1. concertina wire.

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razor wire British  

noun

1. strong wire with pieces of sharp metal set across it at close intervals, used to make fences or barriers

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Compare meaning

How does razor-wire compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• razor wire vs. barbed wire

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

razor wire

Instead of the protective fortification of concrete barriers and razor wire, the National Mall is marked by a sprawling, deliberate openness.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 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

She says she is adjusting to the sound of banging gates and jingling keys at Tai Lam Correctional Institution - a complex of concrete and razor wire that overlooks a thin strip of water.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

Once a symbol of cooperation, the 'Friendship Bridge' connecting the two snow-covered banks has been reinforced with rows of razor wire and anti-tank obstacles.

From Barron's ● Feb. 6, 2026

A factory stood on a hill to one side, the field below filled with flimsy buildings arranged in a square, fencing and razor wire strung around the perimeter.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron