ringfence

ring +‎ fence

ringfence (plural ringfences)

1. A fence which encircles a large area, or a whole estate, within one enclosure.

• ring fence

ringfence (third-person singular simple present ringfences, present participle ringfencing, simple past and past participle ringfenced)

1. (transitive) To guarantee the safety of funds or investment. In particular, to ensure some degree of distinction for monies, that may provide immunity against untoward financial claims.
2. (transitive) To specify that funds may only be used for a specific purpose, especially government funds.
3. (transitive) To require workers to remain in (particular types of work), as during wartime.
   • 1999, Becky Conekin, Frank Mort, Chris Waters, Moments of modernity: reconstructing Britain, 1945-1964, page 89:

     As on the docks, a wartime Essential Work Order gave the miners a minimum weekly wage and 'ring-fenced' employment in the industry. This constraint was not removed until 1950.

   • 2000, David Price, Office of Hope: A History of the Public Employment Service in Great Britain, page 114:

     Coalmining and agriculture were designated as 'ring-fenced' industries. As in wartime, the ministry was sparing in its use of legal sanctions, preferring to keep these powers in the background as far as possible. But in 1948, the ministry issued 302 directions, 288 of which required people to remain in mining or agriculture.

• ring-fence

• ringfenced

• refencing