hedge

1 of 3

noun

1
a
: a fence or boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees
b
: barrier, limit
pikemen … present a hedge of metal points from which any cavalry would flinchTom Wintringham
regarded it as the main function of their existence to raise a hedge around the lawF. W. Farrar
2
: a means of protection or defense (as against financial loss)
realization that common stocks are the best hedge against inflationC. E. Merrill
3
: a calculatedly noncommittal or evasive statement
bureaucratic literature … festooned with hedges and qualificationsFortune

hedge

2 of 3

verb

hedged; hedging

transitive verb

1
: to enclose or protect with or as if with a dense row of shrubs or low trees : to enclose or protect with or as if with a hedge (see hedge entry 1 sense 1a) : encircle
homes hedged with boxwoods
2
: to confine so as to prevent freedom of movement or action : to obstruct with or as if with a barrier : hinder
hedged about by special regulations and statutesSandi Rosenbloom
3
: to protect oneself from losing or failing by a counterbalancing action
hedge a bet

intransitive verb

1
: to plant, form, or trim a hedge
2
: to evade the risk of commitment especially by leaving open a way of retreat : trim
hedged on the issue
3
: to protect oneself financially
usually used with against
in order to hedge against inflationGeorge Katona
: such as
a
: to buy or sell commodity futures (see future entry 2 sense 3) as a protection against loss due to price fluctuation
b
: to minimize the risk of a bet
hedger noun
hedgingly adverb

hedge

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or designed for a hedge (see hedge entry 1)
a hedge plant
hedge selling on the commodity exchanges
2
: born, living, or made alongside or as if alongside a dense row of shrubs or low trees : born, living, or made near or as if near hedges (see hedge entry 1 sense 1a) : roadside
the services of a hedge parson
a hedge wedding
3
: inferior sense 1
a hedge tavern

Examples of hedge in a Sentence

Noun the messenger was confronted with a hedge of spears held aloft by the castle guards Verb The garden is hedged by flowering shrubs. She hedged when she was asked to support the campaign. He hedged his earlier comments about the need for new management.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
To this end, Eckley planted hedges of Leyland cypress, which, at up to 16 feet tall, help provide privacy and muffle noise. Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Oct. 2024 Instead, the urge to sculpt hedges was related to his love of painting. Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
Main Board short turnover increased +17% from Friday, which is 107% of the 1-year average, as 11% of turnover was short turnover (Hong Kong short turnover includes ETF short volume, which is driven by market makers’ ETF hedging). Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 With polling continuing to show a very close U.S. presidential race , investors looking to hedge their bets may want to consider the defense sector. Brian Evans, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2024
Adjective
REITs, on the other hand, hedge inflation and pay dividends. Jim Osman, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The Musketeers even tried to hard-hedge Georgetown's ball screens to slow Spears down. Adam Baum, The Enquirer, 21 Jan. 2023 See all Example Sentences for hedge 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hedge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hegge, heyg "fence formed by a row of shrubs, bush, underbrush," going back to Old English *hecg "fence formed by shrubs, boundary fence," attested in dative hegge, hecge (also Old English hecge, weak feminine noun, in same sense), going back to Germanic *hagjō (whence also Middle Dutch hegghe "hedge," Old High German hegga "palisade," Middle High German hegge, hecke "hedge"), derivative of a base *hag- "enclosure formed by shrubs" — more at haw entry 1

Verb

Middle English heggen, hedgyn "to make a hedge, fence in with a hedge," derivative of hegge, heyg hedge entry 1

Adjective

from attributive use of hedge entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hedge was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near hedge

Cite this Entry

“Hedge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hedge. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

hedge

1 of 2 noun
1
: a boundary formed by a dense row of shrubs or low trees
2

hedge

2 of 2 verb
hedged; hedging
1
: to enclose or protect with or as if with a hedge
2
: to block with or as if with a barrier
hedged in by restrictions
3
: to avoid giving a direct or exact answer or promise
hedged when asked to support the campaign
hedger noun

Legal Definition

hedge

intransitive verb
ˈhej
hedged; hedging
: to reduce possible losses in speculative transactions by engaging in offsetting transactions (as futures trading)

More from Merriam-Webster on hedge

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