snow fence

American  

noun

1. a barrier erected on the windward side of a road, house, barn, etc., serving as a protection from drifting snow.

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snow fence British  

noun

1. a portable wire-and-paling fence erected to prevent snow from drifting across a road, drive, ski run, etc

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Etymology

Origin of snow fence

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

The Illinois Central put a long string of freight cars out along its lakefront line to serve as a snow fence.

From Time Magazine Archive

Chicago's Sisalkraft Co. offered a snow fence made of paper instead of wood lath.

From Time Magazine Archive

For a dune to form in the first place, sand must somehow be trapped, much as a snow fence traps drifting snow.

From Time Magazine Archive

Everything so neatly laid out in rows of slats like a snow fence.

From Highways in Hiding by Smith, George Oliver

Along the railroad the sections of snow fence, which had been stacked all summer in romantic wooden tents occupied by roving small boys, were set up to prevent drifts from covering the track.

From Main Street by Lewis, Sinclair