n.1. A line of people, military posts, or ships stationed around an area to enclose or guard it: a police cordon.
2. A rope, line, tape, or similar border stretched around an area, usually by the police, indicating that access is restricted.
3. a. A cord or braid worn as a fastening or ornament.
b. A ribbon usually worn diagonally across the breast as a badge of honor or decoration.
4. Architecture A stringcourse.
5. Botany A tree or shrub, especially a fruit tree such as an apple or pear, repeatedly pruned and trained to grow on a support as a single ropelike stem.