Fender
/ˈfɛndər/
nounA2
Definition
A fender is a curved piece of material attached near the wheels of a vehicle. Its main job is to stop mud, water, or small stones from flying up and making a mess or causing damage. You often see fenders on cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
A protective part around a vehicle’s wheel
- •The car’s fender was dented after the small accident.
- •He cleaned the bike’s fender to remove the mud.
- •Motorcycles often have fenders to keep the rider dry.
A guard or barrier in other contexts (like a protective barrier on a dock or pier)
- •The boat bumped gently against the fender on the dock.
- •Dock workers placed fenders to protect the boats from damage.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fender" like "cover," but a special cover just for wheels to keep dirt away
- ✓Picture a curved shield around a bike wheel that stops mud from splashing on your clothes
- ✓It’s the part you notice when your bike stays clean even after riding on a wet road
- ✓Sounds like "FEN-der" → imagine a "friend" protecting your wheels from dirt and damage
- ✓Imagine a car driving through a puddle, and the fender stops water from splashing on the car’s body
- ✓NOT like "wheel" (the round part that moves), the fender is around the wheel to protect other parts
- ✓NOT like "bumper" (which protects the front or back of a car), the fender is near the wheels on the side
- ✓NOT like "mudguard" (a similar word used more in British English), but the meaning is very close
Try Other Words
- •Mudguard: a part that protects wheels from mud (Use especially in British English or for bicycles)
- •Wheel arch: the curved part of a car body around the wheel (Use when talking about the car’s shape, not the separate part)
- •Bumper: part of a car that protects front or back (Use when talking about protection at front or rear, not near wheels)
- •Guard: general word for something that protects (Use in broader contexts, less specific than fender)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "fend" (to protect or defend) + "-er" (a noun suffix meaning "one who does something" or "thing that does something")
- •Etymology: From Old English "fendan," meaning to protect or defend
- •Historical development: Originally meant something that protects; later used for parts on vehicles that protect wheels
- •Modern usage: Used mostly for parts on cars, bikes, and boats that protect from damage or dirt
Reflect & Connect
•How does the fender help keep a vehicle clean and safe during different weather conditions?
•Can you think of other parts of a vehicle that protect it, like the fender? How are they different?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fender on the bike stopped ___ from splashing onto the rider’s clothes during the rain.
2.When the car hit a small rock, the ___ was scratched but the wheel was fine.
3.Unlike the bumper, the fender is located ___ the wheels, not at the front or back.
4.On muddy roads, a fender helps to ___ dirt and water from flying up.
5.The boat’s fender protected it from ___ against the dock.
6.The cyclist cleaned the fender carefully because it usually ___ a lot of mud.
7.A damaged fender can make a vehicle look bad, but it also ___ the car from more serious damage.