fence
noun /fens/
/fens/
Idioms 
enlarge imagea structure made of wood or wire supported with posts that is put between two areas of land as a boundary, or around a garden, field, etc. to keep animals in, or to keep people and animals out- The two women chatted over the garden fence.
- Security guards with dogs patrolled the perimeter fence.
- The footpath was blocked by a barbed wire fence.
- The house was surrounded by a white picket fence.
Extra ExamplesTopics Gardensb1, Farmingb1- She walked over to the tall wooden privacy fence.
- There was a cottage garden at the front and a white picket fence.
- a fence around the site
- the airport perimeter fence
- the fence line separating the United States from Mexico
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- high
- tall
- low
- …
- build
- erect
- put up
- …
- post
- line
- over a/the fence
- fence around
- fence round
- …
- a structure that horses must jump over in a race or a competition
- (informal) a criminal who buys and sells stolen goods see also ring fence
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘defending, defence’): shortening of defence. Compare with fend.
Idioms
the grass is (always) greener on the other side (of the fence)
- (saying) said about people who never seem happy with what they have and always think they could be happier in a different place or situation
mend (your) fences (with somebody)
- to find a solution when you disagree with somebody
- The White House already is struggling to mend fences with Europe.
- Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?
side of the fence
(North American English also side of the aisle)
- used to refer to either of two opposite opinions on an issue
- The two countries are often on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to climate change.
- There are arguments on both sides of the aisle.
Extra Examples- On the other side of the fence there is anger at the reforms.
- It is a proposal approved by people on both sides of the political fence.
sit on the fence
- to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something
- He tends to sit on the fence at meetings.