cordon off

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

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

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

A portion of the office was cordoned off during the outsiders' tour.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cordon off” mean?

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

Is “cordon off” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.