fencing

1 of 2

noun

fenc·​ing ˈfen(t)-siŋ How to pronounce fencing (audio)
Synonyms of fencingnext
1
: the art or practice of attack and defense with the foil, épée, or saber
2
a(1)
: fence sense 2a
(2)
: the fences of a property or region
b
: material used for building fences

fencing

2 of 2

present participle of fence entry 2

Examples of fencing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The pursuit ended when the suspect vehicle crashed into PG&E infrastructure fencing. — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The riders veered off the road and through an opening in the fencing surrounding a parking lot near BMO Stadium. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Since the 12th century BC, fencing has been a source of both combat and entertainment. — Rebecca Leib, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026 Sidewalks that people normally mill around were covered with fencing and grandstands were constructed on other areas. — Keith Laing, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fencing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1578, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fencing was in 1578

Rhymes for fencing

See All Rhymes for fencing

Browse Nearby Words

fencible
fencing
fencing patent
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fencing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fencing. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

fencing

noun
fenc·​ing
1
: the art or practice of attack and defense with a sword
2
: material for fences

More from Merriam-Webster on fencing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fencing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fencing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All