Cordon off Definition 1 of 3Pro Tip 1/3Authority Action Used when officials take action to secure an area, often after an incident. The firefighters cordoned off the building due to the explosion risk. Pro Tip 2/3Visual Barrier A physical line or barrier, like tape or cones, visibly marks the off-limits area. Yellow tape was used to cordon off the crash site. Pro Tip 3/3Public Distance Reminds the public to keep away from a specific area for various reasons. The parade route was cordoned off for crowd control.