ring-fence

British  

verb

1. to assign (money, a grant, fund, etc) to one particular purpose, so as to restrict its use

   to ring-fence a financial allowance

2. to oblige (a person or organization) to use money for a particular purpose

   to ring-fence a local authority

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noun

1. an agreement, contract, etc, in which the use of money is restricted to a particular purpose

Example Sentences

The EU wants a broader "metals alliance" with Washington to ring-fence their respective economies from Chinese overcapacity.

From Barron's • Nov. 24, 2025

Champion said she was pleased the government has committed to "taking forward" all 20 of Prof Jay's recommendations - but called for the government to ring-fence funding for each of them.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2025

"If anything, support for deposit holders supports the idea that the Fed could keep tightening policy," he said, if the measures were able to ring-fence problems to a few banks.

From Reuters • Mar. 13, 2023

Since January 2019 banks have had to ring-fence their deposit-taking arms with a cushion of capital to insulate them against blow-ups in their riskier activities.

From Reuters • Dec. 9, 2022

I’ll go and buy the horse, and then I shall be ready to take the ring-fence as soon as you please.’

From The Three Cutters by Marryat, Frederick