snow fence

American  

noun

1. a barrier erected on the windward side of a road, house, barn, etc., serving as a protection from drifting snow.

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snow fence British  

noun

1. a portable wire-and-paling fence erected to prevent snow from drifting across a road, drive, ski run, etc

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Etymology

Origin of snow fence

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

snow fence

For a dune to form in the first place, sand must somehow be trapped, much as a snow fence traps drifting snow.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Illinois Central put a long string of freight cars out along its lakefront line to serve as a snow fence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Chicago's Sisalkraft Co. offered a snow fence made of paper instead of wood lath.

From Time Magazine Archive

I should have taken my valise and a rubber door mat from the sleeping-car, and crawled into the lee of a snow fence for the night.

From Remarks by Nye, Bill

Every now and then, responsive to some wilder blast, a blinding white cloud came whirling from the depths of the nearest gully and breaking like spray over the snow fence along the line.

From The Deserter by King, Charles