noun
cordon
KAW-duhn
noun
1
A line of people, vehicles, or barriers set up to prevent access to or from an area.
"Police set up a cordon around the crash site."
2
A ribbon, often worn diagonally across the chest, given as an honour or badge of rank.
"The ambassador wore the ceremonial cordon at the state dinner."
verb
1
To seal off an area with a protective line or barrier (usually "cordon off").
"Firefighters cordoned off the street after the gas leak."
How to Use Cordon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA barrier line set up to keep people out of (or in) an area, or a ceremonial sash.
Common pairings
police cordon
cordon off
security cordon
Word Forms
cordoned past tense, cordons plural, Cordons plural, cordons singular
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Police set up a _____ around the crash site.
Etymology
From Middle French cordon, a diminutive of corde ("cord"), reflecting the original idea of a rope or ribbon marking a boundary.