cordon

American  

[kawr-dn] / ˈkɔr dn /

noun

1. a line of police, sentinels, military posts, warships, etc., enclosing or guarding an area.

2. a cord or braid worn for ornament or as a fastening.

3. a ribbon worn usually diagonally across the breast as a badge of a knightly or honorary order.

4. Fortification.

   1. a projecting course of stones at the base of a parapet.

   2. the coping of a scarp.

5. Architecture.

   1. a stringcourse, especially one having little or no projection.

   2. a cut-stone riser on a stepped ramp or the like.

6. a fruit tree or shrub trained to grow along a support or a series of such supports.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to surround or blockade with or as with a cordon (usually followed byoff ).

   The police cordoned off the street.

cordon British  

/ ˈkɔːdən /

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 course.   belt course.   table.  architect 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. to put or form a cordon (around); close (off)

Etymology

Origin of cordon

1400–50; Middle English < Middle French, diminutive of corde

Example Sentences

Security is expected to again be heightened for the hearing, with a security cordon of steel imposed around the downtown courthouse for his first appearance in January.

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

A guarded police cordon was set up on Great Peter Street, just off Horseferry Road, following the incident, and forensics officers also attended the scene.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

People standing watching at the police cordon spoke of their shock.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Members of the public were seen shouting at him and the police extended their cordon to move them further back.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

It would seem almost as though there were a cordon drawn round the upper part of these great peaks beyond which no man may go.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Related Words

• identification
• insignia
• marker
• medallion
• pin
• ribbon
• stamp
• symbol
• token