English Dictionary

Definition of “cordon

cordon (ˈkɔːdənnPronunciation for cordon

Definitions

noun

  1. a chain of police, soldiers, ships, etc, stationed around an area
  2. a ribbon worn as insignia of honour or rank
  3. a cord or ribbon worn as an ornament or fastening
  4.  Also called string coursebelt coursetablearchitecture an ornamental projecting band or continuous moulding along a wall
  5. horticulture a form of fruit tree consisting of a single stem bearing fruiting spurs, produced by cutting back all lateral branches

verb

  1. (tr)  often foll by off to put or form a cordon (around); close (off)

Word Origin

C16: from Old French, literally: a little cord, from corde string, cord

Usage examples

  • Downstairs again, Ed met her with the news that a cordon had been thrown around the cemetery.
    Trenhalle, John, A Means to Evil (1993)
  • Sadhu and his men tore through the Opposition cordon , lifted the Speaker physically and brought him out.
    India Today (1997)
  • The scare led police to cordon off several blocks in the neighbourhood for several hours.
    canada.com (2004)
  • Half an hour afterwards five unmarked cars carrying detectives were allowed through the tight cordon.
    Sun, News of the World (2004)
  • Kwang had penetrated the security cordon by arriving in a hired limousine.
    Geraghty, Tony, The Bullet Catchers (1989)

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