{
    "term": "fence",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "b1",
    "image": "data/images/co/countryside.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a 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",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The two women chatted over the garden fence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Security guards with dogs patrolled the **perimeter fence**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The footpath was blocked by a **barbed wire fence**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The house was surrounded by a white **picket fence**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She walked over to the tall wooden privacy fence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was a cottage garden at the front and a white picket fence."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a fence around the site"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the airport perimeter fence"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the fence line separating the United States from Mexico"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Gardens", "Farming"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["high", "tall", "low"],
                "verb + fence": ["build", "erect", "put up"],
                "fence + noun": ["post", "line"],
                "preposition": ["over a/​the fence", "fence around", "fence round"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "a structure that horses must jump over in a race or a competition",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a criminal who buys and sells stolen goods",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "said about people who never seem happy with what they have and always think they could be happier in a different place or situation",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to find a solution when you disagree with somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The White House already is struggling to mend fences with Europe."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Is it too late to mend fences with your ex-wife?"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Discussion and agreement"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to refer to either of two opposite opinions on an issue",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The two countries are often on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to climate change."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are arguments on both sides of the aisle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "On the other side of the fence there is anger at the reforms."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It is a proposal approved by people on both sides of the political fence."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to avoid becoming involved in deciding or influencing something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He tends to sit on the fence at meetings."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/fens/",
                "audio": "fe/fence/fence__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/fens/",
                "audio": "fe/fence/fence__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Middle English (in the sense ‘defending, defence’): shortening of defence. Compare with fend."
}