(hedges, hedging, hedged)
1.
A hedge is a row of bushes or small trees, usually along the edge of a garden, field, or road.
N-COUNT
2.
If you hedge against something unpleasant or unwanted that might affect you, especially losing money, you do something which will protect you from it.
You can hedge against redundancy or illness with insurance...
Today's clever financial instruments make it possible for firms to hedge their risks.
VERB: V against n, V n
3.
Something that is a hedge against something unpleasant will protect you from its effects.
Gold is traditionally a hedge against inflation.
N-COUNT: N against n
4.
If you hedge, you avoid answering a question or committing yourself to a particular action or decision.
They hedged in answering various questions about the operation...
'I can't give you an answer now,' he hedged.
VERB: V, V with quote
5.
If you hedge your bets, you reduce the risk of losing a lot by supporting more than one person or thing in a situation where they are opposed to each other.
Hawker Siddeley tried to hedge its bets by diversifying into other fields...
PHRASE: V inflects