What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cordon
Example
The police set up a cordon around the crime scene. [cordon: noun]
Example
The soldiers cordoned off the area to prevent any unauthorized entry. [cordoned: past tense]
barricade
Example
The protesters built a barricade using trash cans and wooden pallets. [barricade: noun]
Example
The police barricaded the street to prevent any traffic from entering. [barricaded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Barricade is more commonly used than cordon in everyday language. Barricade is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cordon is less common and is often associated with police or military actions.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cordon and barricade?
Both cordon and barricade can be used in formal and informal contexts, but cordon may be more formal due to its association with police or military actions.
