Phrase guide

cordon off

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To protect from intrusion by enclosing in a rope or other barrier.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • A portion of the office was cordoned off during the outsiders' tour.
  • The police cordoned off the street while they investigated the accident.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cordon

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

divide by means of a rope

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The police roped off the area where the crime occurred

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: rope in, rope off

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: enclose, close in, inclose, shut in

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: acordonar — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Finnish: sulkea köysiaidalla — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Finnish: eristää — to enclose with rope barrier
  • French: boucler — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Italian: circondare — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Japanese: 結界 (kekkai) — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Polish: oddzielać za pomocą taśmy lub liny — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Polish: oddzielić za pomocą taśmy lub liny — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Spanish: acordonar — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: spärra av — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: avgränsa — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: omgärda — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: isolera — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: avsnöra — to enclose with rope barrier
  • Swedish: instänga — to enclose with rope barrier