noun / verb
cordon
KOR-dun/ˈkɔːrdn/
A line of people or barriers controlling access to an area.
A police cordon keeps bystanders away from the damaged building.
Etymology
A cordon was originally a small cord or ribbon. The word later described a guarding line of troops or posts, treating the barrier they formed as a cord around a place.
In context
their parliament and made it pass the first cordon of police,
Just like this, if a crime has been committed, there may be a police cordon.
More examples
- Only emergency crews can pass through the cordon.
- Workers cordon off the broken sidewalk with orange barriers.
- Police cordoned off the street while firefighters tackled the blaze.
Forms
cordon · cordons · cordoned · cordoning
Similar words
- barricade
- A physical obstruction, rather than a line of guards.
- blockade
- Usually prevents movement or supplies rather than merely controlling access.