A fence is a structure that encloses an area, such as the wire mesh or wooden panelling that keeps your dog confined. Fencing can also refer to a sport that involves combat with sword-like weapons, like the foils used by Hamlet and Holden Caulfield in the Olympics.

In Charles Dickens’ 19th-century novel Oliver Twist, Fagin is a fence who recruits homeless boys as pickpockets. In the modern sense of the word, fence refers to an individual who knowingly buys stolen goods and later resells them for profit, acting as a middleman between thieves and the eventual buyers of the stolen goods who may not be aware that they are buying counterfeit or otherwise illegal items.

“Securing Your Perimeter: Choosing the Right Fence for Your Property

Historically, many states and local governments had laws requiring landowners to fence out unwanted livestock in order to prevent stray animals from wandering into other areas. This tradition continued until the late 20th century, when the “open range” legal tradition largely gave way to more contemporary property law principles that require fences only on surveyed boundaries.

A fence in property law may also refer to a contractual agreement between two or more parties wherein the owners of a parcel of land agree to construct a fence along a boundary. The terms of a fence contract typically include details regarding ownership, cost sharing, construction timeframes and maintenance schedules. It’s important to understand the specifics of your own situation before entering into a fence agreement, as the results of the agreement can be legally binding for a long time.